Nicolas Pépé laments the lack of support from the Ivorian Football Federation after being subjected to racist insults

Absent from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the Ivorian international does not regret his YouTube video, which was posted before the official list of players selected by coach Emerse Faé was released.

The video, entitled ‘I spent 72 hours in the life of Nicolas Pépé’, caused controversy and sparked fierce criticism, including racist insults from some internet users. However, the Ivorian Football Federation did not express any support for the Villareal winger. On the contrary, he was dropped from the list of players selected for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Weeks later, Pépé broke his silence.

"I don't regret making the video. I told you, that's the kind of person I was, that's the kind of person I am. Even Riadh felt bad when he saw it. I told him, 'Poto, don't worry, I'm the one who told you to post the images. (...) If I had to do it again, I would, and I wouldn't regret it. (...) I suffered a triple punishment: I'm not at the Africa Cup of Nations, I was subjected to racist insults, and the Federation didn't defend me. I chose this country when I was young, with the U17s. I gave my all to be there. I didn't receive any messages from the president or the coach about the insults."