Lyon, January 15 – A security guard employed at an Etam store in The Village, a large outlet shopping center located in Villefontaine, near Lyon, has been dismissed after a video he posted on TikTok containing racist remarks went viral. The incident occurred after Algeria’s defeat to Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Racist Remarks Follow Football Match
The guard, identified by his TikTok handle ‘LyonnaisKabyle’ (a now-deleted account), posted a video on January 14, 2026, where he directed a series of offensive comments towards the match referee, Issa Sy, who is Senegalese. The video was widely circulated on X (formerly Twitter), drawing significant attention and condemnation.
In the video, the guard stated, “Go back to the jungle, go back to your cages,” addressing the referee. He continued, “Whites back then, they colonized you, they put you in cages. Wallah, they are right. Your place is in cages.” He further escalated his racist tirade by calling the Senegalese referee an “enslaved person” and added, “Is this African football? Stay in the jungle. I advise you to go to the jungle, you Blacks.”
Etam Responds Swiftly to the Incident
Following verifications by the editorial team of actu Lyon, it was confirmed that the individual was indeed a security agent working at the Etam store in Villefontaine (Isère).
Etam, a brand specializing in women’s lingerie, quickly responded to the scandal via their official X account. Their statement read: “The reported comments are unacceptable and go against Etam’s values, which are founded on respect, inclusion, and diversity. The incident was immediately reported to our service provider, and the agent concerned will no longer be present in our store.”
The company further added, “We remain fully mobilized to guarantee a respectful environment for everyone.”
Broader Implications for Corporate Responsibility
This incident highlights the growing scrutiny faced by companies regarding the conduct of their employees, particularly in the age of social media. The rapid dissemination of such content can have immediate and significant consequences for brand reputation and public perception.
The quick and decisive action taken by Etam reflects a corporate commitment to upholding values of diversity and inclusion, and a zero-tolerance policy towards racist behavior. The incident serves as a reminder to individuals about the public nature and potential repercussions of their online actions, especially when associated with their professional roles.
The event has sparked discussions online about racism in sports and the responsibility of individuals and organizations to combat such prejudice. While the guard’s account has been deleted, the video’s impact continues to resonate across social media platforms.
The Village commercial center management has not yet issued a public statement regarding the incident, but Etam’s immediate response indicates a clear stance against the offensive remarks made by the now-former security agent.
This event underscores the importance of fostering inclusive environments, both online and offline, and the need for continuous vigilance against all forms of discrimination.
Source: https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/lyon_69123/lyon-supporter-de-l-algerie-un-vigile-d-etam-derape-les-blacks-allez-dans-la-jungle_63698500.html
