Saint-Maximin quits Club America – Inside World Football

February 3 – Club America will start their Champions Cup campaign without star French striker Allan Saint-Maximin.

Having just arrived at the club last August on a $10 million deal, he quit the club two days after revealing that his children had been the target of racist attacks.

Club America head coach Andre Jardine told a press conference “acts of racism occurred against his daughter”, adding that this “has happened many times”.

“This is something we will not tolerate, and we condemn it,” Jardine said.

The club have supported Saint-Maximin’s decision to leave but it has come at the wrong time with their season off to a rocky start and with the all-important Concacaf Champions Cup kicking off tonight with Club America away to Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League. The top finishers in the Champions Cup qualify for the next FIFA Club World Cup.

After four games in LigaMX, America has five points and is 9 points behind^th a place in the 18-team league, outside the play-off positions, although it is still early days.

Saint-Maximin’s elimination came when Club America beat Necaxa 2-0 in the fourth round of the Clausura tournament. He wasn’t part of their squad. Yesterday Lens, who are second in French Ligue 1, announced his arrival as a free transfer.

“The problem is not the color of the skin, but the color of the mind. People attack me, but that’s not a problem. I grew up learning to fight attacks, be they subtle, hidden or direct,” wrote Saint-Maximin on Instagram.

“But there is one thing I will never tolerate, and that is people who attack my children. Protecting my children is my priority. I will fight with all my might to ensure that they are respected and loved, no matter their origin or the color of their skin.

“So, to those who dare attack my children, I say this: you made a mistake. I will always fight to protect my family and no person or threat will ever scare me.”

For the team, Jardine said it was “a shame” to lose a player of Saint-Maximin’s quality.

“He’s a great player and we have to try to find a way to replace him,” Jardine.

The club addressed the issue of racism in a statement saying: “We reiterate our strong condemnation of any act of discrimination and/or violence that violates human dignity, both on and off the pitch.

“We express our absolute solidarity with Allan Saint-Maximin and his family, who have the support of everyone who is part of this institution.

“Say NO to Racism! and promote respect, inclusion and the values ​​society needs.”

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