Bordeaux coach Willy Sagnol was yesterday backed by the club after his outrageous comments regarding African players “lacking intelligence.”

Speaking on Tuesday, the former France and Bayern Munich player told local French Sud Ouest that while African players were “not that expensive” and “ready to fight and powerful on the pitch” they also were missing “technique, intelligence and discipline.”

Club president Jean-Louis Triaud backed his manager, saying: “For those who know Willy Sagnol, the acknowledgment of what the accused said is unlikely and far-fetched,” adding the interpretation was “malicious.”

Former teammate at club and international level Lilian Thuram and anti-racism association SOS Racisme condemned Sagnol’s comments. SOS Racisme said: “This is laid-back, anti-black racism,” with Thuram adding: “It is damaging that someone can hint that ‘the African players’ lack this or that quality.”

The International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism said in a statement: “These abject theories have led to some men and women having their humanity denied.”