Ex-Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby slams 'cowardly' comedian who mocked a disabled fan

'Beyond the personal insult, the lack of respect for people with disabilities revolts me'

Evan Bartlett
Tuesday 14 February 2017 17:16 GMT
Comments
French comedian mocks disabled fan by comparing him to Abou Diaby

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Injury-plagued Marseille midfielder Abou Diaby has described a comedian as "contemptuous and cowardly" after a sketch in which he mocked a disabled football fan.

Julian Cazarre, who works for the comedy football show J+1 on France's Canal+, made the gag on Sunday night following Marseille's game against Nantes.

With footage on screen showing a supporter in a wheelchair being pushed onto the pitch by a woman in a Marseille shirt, Cazerre quipped: "Ah, Abou Diaby is back in the squad!"

Although there were groans from the studio audience, the camera panned back to Cazarre who was giggling and holding his head in his hands.

Presenter Nicolas Tourriol then jokingly told Cazarre he deserved a red card.

But Diaby was much less forgiving. After the broadcast, the former Arsenal man took to Twitter to lambast Cazarre, saying the joke "revolts me".

"I rarely respond to personal attacks but I don't know what to say about Cazarre's scornful and cowardly humour yesterday on J+1," he said.

Cazarre compared the disabled Marseille fan to injury-plagued midfielder Abou Diaby
Cazarre compared the disabled Marseille fan to injury-plagued midfielder Abou Diaby (Canal+)
While there were groans in the studio audience, Cazarre clearly found his joke hilarious
While there were groans in the studio audience, Cazarre clearly found his joke hilarious (Canal+)

"Beyond the personal insult, the lack of respect for people with disabilities revolts me. Unprovoked, wounding and such little courage."

Diaby struggled with injury throughout his time in the Premier League, spending much of his nine years at Arsenal on the sidelines.

And the 30-year-old has suffered a similar fate since moving back to France in 2015, having made just two appearances this season before being ruled out with a long-term ankle injury.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in