MEXICO CITY (AP) — Former Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximins His contract with Club America in Mexico’s top flight was abruptly terminated following a racist incident involving children, the club announced on Saturday.
Saint-Maximin, 28, has played just 16 league games, nine of which were starts, including his first league match. 2 year contract He signed last August.
“It’s not the color of your skin that matters, it’s the color of your thoughts. I’ve been attacked, but that doesn’t matter. I’ve grown up and learned to fight attacks. But there’s one thing I will never tolerate: attacks on children,” Maxine wrote on her social media accounts Thursday.
Neither the player nor Club America would discuss the details of the incident.
Saint-Maximin played for Fenerbahce in Turkey for one year before moving to Mexico, where he played on loan from Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahly.
He traveled with his wife and three children: two daughters named Liana and Ninhia, and a son named Deide.
Club América coach Andre Jardim said on Saturday: “It is unfortunate that this act of racism occurred against our daughters, and it has already happened many times. It is unacceptable to him and we condemn it.”
“Unfortunately, he went through that experience, and now we must demand action against racism, because there is no place for racism in the world.”
The USA announced the move after defeating Necaxa 2-0 in the fourth round of the Clausura tournament. Saint-Maximin was not in the team for this match.
Jardine, who led Brazil to gold at the 2020 Olympics, added that apart from racism, French athletes had a hard time adjusting to Mexico City.
“He is a great player who has achieved great results. He has the level to play in any league in the world, but coming to Mexico from Europe was a big change for him,” the manager added. “He has things that weigh him down: his family, his food, his habits, his way of life.”
Former French youth international Saint-Maximin made his debut with Saint-Étienne in his home country, then moved to Monaco and Nice before moving to Newcastle in the English Premier League in 2019, where he spent four seasons.
He made 124 appearances for the Magpies, scoring 13 goals, but struggled with injuries.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
