The 2022 Qatar World Cup was filled with controversy from the very first whistle to the very last, with the views of the host nation coming under scrutiny.
Migrant workers tragically lost their lives constructing the stadiums, while homosexually continued to be illegal in the host nation of Qatar.
Argentina took home football’s most coveted prize after beating defending champions France on penalties following a 3-3 draw over 120 minutes.
Youngster Randal Kolo Muani missed a golden chance to snatch victory for the French in the final minute of extra time, then Aurelian Tchouameni and Kingsley Coman missed in the shootout to hand Argentina victory.
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Unfortunately for those individuals who were already hurting from losing a World Cup final, some ‘fans’ decided to single out the skin colour of the aforementioned players and target them with racist abuse.
Lewis Hamilton, who has had to battle disgusting racist abuse himself in the past, has been quick to show his support to the French players, sharing an Instagram post that says Kolo Muani and Tchouameni have had to turn off their comment section on social media such is the volume of the abuse they have been receiving.
The 37-year-old also added his own comment to the post, suggesting that the French players should be praised for having such a successful tournament rather than abused.
“Disgusted but not surprised. @aurelientchm and @r_kolomuani gave it everything. They’re heroes to so many and deserve nothing but respect,” wrote Hamilton.
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The seven-time world champion has recently revealed that he does not even look at his social media comments anymore, such is the level of toxicity and online abuse that surrounds sport in the modern era.
It is understood that Hamilton had a personal conversation with every driver back in 2020 to ask for their support with the Black Lives Matter campaign, as Formula 1 drivers took the knee following the killing of George Floyd by police in the USA.
Hamilton will not be able to make any gesture in Formula 1 in support of the abused French footballers however, as the FIA have now banned political and personal gestures from the sport by both drivers and teams, unless previously agreed upon with the FIA.