Laurent Koscielny retires at 36 amidst claims of racist behaviour

Former Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny has announced his retirement from football. He used his statement to deny alleged racist behaviour from Bordeaux’s ultras – UB87. The defender, alongside Benoit Costil, have been accused of a lack of leadership amidst claims of racism. 

With the Gunners, Koscielny won three FA Cup trophies and two Community Shields. He left the Premier League club in 2019/20 after refusing to go to North America as part of their pre-season. And now, after being frozen out from the Bordeaux squad, he has decided to hang up his boots after an illustrious career. 

Laurent Koscielny announces retirement with official statement  

‘Following the article published in the Sud Ouest newspaper on March 22, 2022 entitled “Girondins de Bordeaux. Costil and Koscielny, accusations of racism that shake”, Laurent Koscielny was surprised, shocked but also saddened by the remarks made by one of the representatives of the Ultramarines 87 Group against him, which the press is now echoing.

‘Without there being any ambiguity, he strongly disputes these accusations which have seriously [damage] him and which have repercussions on his family and those around him. 

‘In this regard, Laurent Koscielny underlines that the investigative work of the Sud Ouest newspaper which solicited more than thirty people (according to the journalist’s statements) who formally denied the alleged racist behavior of Laurent Koscielny.

‘As a reminder, if Laurent Koscielny has not been part of the professional staff of the club since the end of January 2022, he recalls that he is still an employee of the Girondins de Bordeaux. 

‘On this point, Laurent Koscielny intends to specify that he has decided to hang up his [boots] when he would have preferred to help the club on the [pitch]. Aware that the club was in difficulty, he accepted the proposal made to occupy a new [role] and to release [his] salary [as] proof of the concern he has for the best interests of the club.

‘As such, he would like to thank the club for the mark of confidence shown in him by entrusting him with this position. This mission is the extension of a career that has commanded the respect of all of his partners, coaches and staff that he has worked with both in the club and in the France team. Laurent Koscielny also shares the club’s position, which recalled in its press release that “no document aimed at supporting these allegations has been brought to the attention of the Club, which in principle intends to exercise the greatest caution”.’