KOTA KINABALU: Sabah head coach Jean-Paul de Marigny has denied allegations of racism levelled against him by Police player Fadi Awad following their Super League clash on Saturday, insisting the claim is baseless and deeply unfair.
In a statement yesterday, Jean-Paul said the match played at the Selayang Municipal Stadium, which Sabah won 4-1, was ‘highly physical’, prompting him to approach the player in the first half to urge him (Fadi) to stop striking Sabah players during challenges.
“The exchange lasted no more than 30 to 45 seconds. I repeated my request in a firmer tone, but at no point did I insult him,” he said.
Jean-Paul said he was willing to apologise if Fadi felt disrespected, but maintained that he would not apologise for standing up for his squad.
“To suggest racism based on such a brief interaction is unfair and deeply offensive,” he stressed.
The Australian-born coach also pointed to his long history in the sport and his multicultural upbringing, saying he had spent 45 years working with players of diverse backgrounds.
He also highlighted his personal background, having grown up in multicultural Australia and raising a family connected to multiple ethnicities.
“Racism is something we take very seriously in Australia, and it is never tolerated,” he said.
Wishing Fadi well in his career, Jean-Paul concluded by expressing hope that the player finds ‘his better self, happiness and peace’. — Bernama
