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.
A statement, as relayed by Foot Mercato, read: "As a reminder, 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. Laurent Koscielny intends to specify that he decided to hang up the crampons when he would have preferred to help the club on the field.
"Aware that the club was in difficulty, he accepted the proposal to hold a new position and release a salary proof of his concern for the best interests of the club. In this capacity, he would like to thank the club for the trust shown to him by entrusting him with this position.
"This mission is an extension of a career that has forced respect for all his partners, coaches and staff he has met both in the club and in the French team. Laurent Koscielny also shares the club's position, which recalled in its press release that 'no evidence to support these allegations has been brought to the attention of the Club, which in principle intends to exercise the utmost caution'."
Koscielny joined Les Girondins in the summer of 2019 for a fee of £4.6million after going on strike at Arsenal, refusing to take part in their pre-season tour of the United States in order to force through a transfer. The 51-capped France international had spent nine years at the Emirates, with Arsene Wenger signing him in 2010 after an impressive season with Lorient.
Making 353 appearances and winning three FA Cups, his final game was the 2019 Europa League final which the Gunners lost 4-1 to Chelsea. Then manager Unai Emery attempted to convince him to remain in north London for his second term but Koscielny was determined to return to his homeland.
Following two successive 12th-place finishes in Ligue 1, Bordeaux now find themselves six points from safety with the worst goal difference in the division. Their decision to axe Koscielny, alongside teammates Paul Baysse and Mehdi Zerkane, came during the January transfer window as the club looked to turn their campaign around.
The experienced centre-back was unhappy with the decision, according to L'Equipe, and they quoted him as saying: "I'm a footballer, so my passion is primarily to play, and also to set an example for my teammates as captain. So, I took it very hard. Let's just say it was a right slap in the face.
"But I'm a fighter, I'll continue to fight and do what it takes to stay at the top level and help the squad so that the team gets the best possible results." Asked if he was given any specific reasoning, Koscielny replied: "No. None. They just told me that this was their new strategy, and that we would find a solution with the financial director that was good for everyone."
Bordeaux president Gerard Lopez added: "We are not attacking the player or the person, but it is decided that Laurent will not finish the season with us and he will leave the club in January. I think that he can still play football so if we can help him to keep playing, he will leave as a player."
