The retired footballer, an avid anti-racism activist, has recently fallen in his own trap as he stands accused by one of the world s largest anti-racism organisations for his own anti-white statements.

The footballer said he had taught his sons from an early age to always keep in mind that they are black, arguing that this was necessary to protect them from unpleasant surprises. Thuram believes that racism is a cultural phenomenon, as are sexism and homophobia. The former player said these views were shared by far more people than we would think, and he wanted his children to understand.

Thuram said racism was still present and that his children had first-hand experience. Citing an example, he said when he recently tried to hail a taxi after leaving a restaurant, two cab-drivers refused to pick him up, saying it was not their turn. The third driver said his colleagues had failed to recognize Thuram, the famous footballer, who was of the opinion that violence was clearly palpable in that statement. However, he believed that this subject must be discussed in clear terms and in a calm manner.

As regards the world of sports, Lilian Thuram said it was not racist, but added that we need to be aware that racism is prevalent not just in the Italian and French cultures, but also throughout Europe and in white culture in general.

According to the retired footballer, the subject is shrouded by a degree of incredible hypocrisy and there is no intention to resolve it. In his opinion, Failing to take action against racism makes people complicit in others racism.

Lilian Thuram, the enthused anti-racism activist, grabs every opportunity to speak out against racism. Interestingly,  however, he forgot to mention his own ordeal when sharing with others racist incidents.

His statement in September 2019, suggesting that white culture was racist and accusing an entire social group of racism, has sparked a major outcry, according to reports published by the daily Le Point at the time.

The International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism (LICRA) strongly condemned the footballer s statement. The organisation emphasized that no group of people – whites in this case – can be accused of racism in general, pointing out that the accusation itself constitutes racism. While trying to prove just the opposite, Thuram fell into his own trap by categorising people based on the colour of their skin. In LICRA s view, dividing members of society into groups according to skin colour is a serious error that triggers an effect that is contrary to the desired goal, resulting in a fragmented society. It is in our common interest to work together and unite society to fight discrimination, LICRA stressed.

Amidst the outrage provoked by Thuram s statement, many on the far right were pleased to see the footballer s condemnation for racism by a major anti-racism organisation, calling it a massive own goal.