Overview
- The Paris prosecutor's office announced it opened a criminal inquiry on Wednesday, Sept. 23, for public racist insults and cyberharassment and handed the case to the OCLCH, the unit that investigates hate crimes.
- Authorities say the probe follows a surge of racist messages directed at Riner after he told France TV on Sept. 16 that he was anguished by the rise of the far right.
- Teddy Riner posted on X on Sept. 24 saying he will document hateful tweets, posts and messages and pursue legal action when facts justify it while affirming he will continue to speak publicly.
- Coverage notes a broader pattern in which right‑leaning media figures and sympathetic online networks amplify attacks on athletes, with Kylian Mbappé cited as another recent target.
- The investigation could lead to prosecutions under French law for racist public insults and cyberharassment and highlights how online harassment now triggers formal police work and possible legal consequences.