French journalist Clémentine Sarlat has announced she is stepping away from covering football after facing a wave of online abuse linked to her stance following Senegal’s win.
Sarlat said the backlash began after she spoke about the match and the reaction to Senegal’s victory, which quickly triggered attacks from fans on social media.
In her comments, she explained that the scale and intensity of the messages went beyond criticism, turning into a sustained campaign of insults and harassment that made continuing football coverage impossible.
The journalist confirmed that her decision is final, stressing that no sporting debate should lead to personal attacks, and that the environment around football has become increasingly toxic for those speaking publicly.
Her announcement has sparked renewed discussion in France about online abuse in sport and the pressure faced by journalists, especially when major international results generate strong emotions among supporters.
