PSG Star Hakimi Sparks Immigration Debate with Comments on Muslim Community in Paris

"One of the reasons I came to Paris is the Arab Muslim community that is here. I knew that from a cultural point of view, I would feel at home," he confided to l’Équipe.

By expressing himself in this way, the 22-year-old right-back was far from suspecting that he would give substance to the debate on immigration, or provoke the discontent of a member of the Rassemblement national (RN). On his Twitter account, Julien Odoul called for an end to immigration. He explained that through the player’s remarks, it is the French who are most impacted, feeling "like foreigners in their own country".

Twitter caught fire with reactions from several Internet users who responded to the RN elected official. This is the case of a football podcast host. "I hope that foreigners, regardless of their nationality, will continue to feel at home in France. The day this is no longer the case, we will really have to question ourselves. Ps: Hakimi in 5 matches has done more for France than you in 36 years of life".

Julien Odoul is known for his attacks targeting players of Maghrebi origin. In 2019, during the CAN final between Algeria and Nigeria, he had wished for Nigeria’s victory. An Algerian victory would have led to a night of violence by the Algerian community in France, he had indicated. But he will be put in his place by Riyad Mahrez.

Several Internet users have highlighted the irony of Julien Odoul’s comments, when we know that French football owes its fame to the efforts made by foreign players. The French national team is a typical example of what immigration has been able to bring to football in France. Kopa, Platini, Zinedine Zidane, Ben M’Barek, Thuram, are all players from immigration who have made the glory of French football, both in the national team and within the clubs.

The controversial remarks of the RN elected official, despite the outcry created on the web, have not undermined the popularity of the Moroccan player, who is weaving day by day his career within the Parisian club, combining professionalism, abilities and determination. PSG supporters are also unanimous in saying that Achraf Hakimi remains one of the best acquisitions of the Parisian club in recent years.