Allan Saint-Maximin Says He Left Club America After His Children Were Racially Abused

Allan Saint-Maximin didn't have to say anything. He chose to.

The French winger, now playing for Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer, told BBC Sport that after his children were racially abused earlier this year, he felt it was "important to step up" rather than stay silent.

"Whatever your colour is, you don't have to accept this," Saint-Maximin said.

What Actually Happened

Back in January, while playing for Club America in Mexico, Saint-Maximin posted on Instagram that "hatred and discrimination have no place in our society." That post drew more than 159,000 likes, including from former Newcastle United teammates Kieran Trippier and Joelinton.

He hasn't gotten into the specifics of who did what. But he confirmed "some stuff happened with my kids in the school" during his time in Mexico, and by February he had left Club America.

"I explained to the kids what happened was not normal and they knew already," he said. "They were not really happy about that. I was a bit sad about my son, but in every place there is these type of things, even in France, the country where I am from."

No investigation or criminal charges tied to the incident appear in the record here. This is Saint-Maximin's account of what happened and why he acted on it, not a legal finding.

He's Not Blaming the Club

Saint-Maximin didn't torch Club America on the way out.

"It was not the fault of Club America," he said. "I have nothing against them, the players or the Mexican people. I love the club. It was one of the best places I've been with my family."

Club America backed him publicly, issuing a statement of "absolute solidarity" with Saint-Maximin and his family, saying he had "the support of everyone who is part of this institution." His teammates held up a "No to racism" banner before a match against Necaxa.

Saint-Maximin's take: the abuse came from "some random people" who "say some stuff and try to attack your family," not the institution itself. That's a meaningful distinction he's drawing, and one plenty of athletes in his position wouldn't bother making.

"You never really know who they support or why they do this, but when this affects your kids there are not many choices to take," he said. "It was a difficult choice for me and my family, but I take my responsibility because I always say I will never accept stuff like this."

The Family Made the Call, Not the Contract

Saint-Maximin left Club America and returned to his native France, joining Lens on a short-term deal for the second half of last season. It worked out on the field: Lens won the French Cup for the first time in the club's 120-year history and finished second in Ligue 1.

Despite reportedly having a number of offers this past summer, Saint-Maximin chose Charlotte FC in MLS instead.

"My family have always followed me to every single place," he said. "So this time was more of a family choice."

A player at the peak of his market value, coming off a trophy-winning season, picked a smaller stage over a bigger paycheck because his family's wellbeing came first. Saint-Maximin put it plainly: "It was important to show to people, especially in my situation, that I can lose a lot of things, but I will never accept this."

Saint-Maximin has not named who abused his children, what disciplinary steps, if any, were taken by the school or local authorities in Mexico, or whether he pursued any formal complaint. BBC Sport's report, which the story is built around, doesn't include those details either. Whether any further action follows from Club America, the school involved, or Mexican football authorities remains an open question.