Laurent Koscielny has announced his retirement from football after denying allegations of racism.
The former Arsenal captain, who left the Gunners in 2019, was accused of such behaviour by Bordeaux 's ultras group - UB87 - alongside goalkeeper Beniot Costil in the aftermath of their 2-0 defeat on Montpellier before the international break, leaving them rock bottom of Ligue 1 with nine games remaining. The goalkeeper and Koscielny both refuted the claims of "sometimes racist behaviour," with the 36-year-old releasing a statement on Friday via Sud Ouest.
Koscielny, while explaining that the accusations have had repercussions on his family, noted that more than 30 people - which the French news outlet claim to have solicited - formally denied the allegations. The defender was removed from Bordeaux's playing squad in January due to his high salary and poor performances, and he has now decided to hang up his boots for good, continuing to represent the club as an ambassador.
