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Toulouse’s Aron Dønnum Denies Racist Intent as Le Havre Seeks Review of Late-Game Gesture

Refereeing officials are reviewing footage following Le Havre’s request that the incident be logged for possible disciplinary action.

Overview

  • Video shows Dønnum waving his hand in front of his nose toward Simon Ebonog during stoppage time of a 0–0 draw in Toulouse, an action Le Havre calls racist.
  • Le Havre coach Didier Digard publicly denounced the gesture; Ebonog and Digard were cautioned after the match, while Dønnum received no in-game sanction.
  • Dønnum says he mimed bad breath and rejects any racist meaning, and Toulouse issued a statement calling the accusations unfounded and reserving the right to defend the player’s reputation.
  • Le Havre sporting director Mathieu Bodmer said the club asked match delegates to include the incident in their report, showed images to refereeing officials, and questioned the lack of VAR intervention.
  • Under French regulations, proven injurious or racist conduct can draw up to a 10‑match suspension, though any sanction would depend on the disciplinary review once reports are filed.