One click, one fire. Since his unfortunate “like” on an Instagram post with political connotations, Lucas Chevalier has been at the heart of a storm that goes far beyond the scope of football. The affair took on such proportions that the debate shifted from an accidental gesture to a deeper question: what are the true beliefs of the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper and his family? The label of far-right sympathizer, quickly stuck by part of public opinion, followed the player to the gates of Clairefontaine this week.
Far from clichés, an education in the antipodes
However, the reality of his family environment, revealed by the newspaper The Teamis the polar opposite of the portrait that has been drawn of him. Son of a police officer and grandson of a soldier, Lucas Chevalier certainly grew up with strict values. But he also comes from a partly mixed family on his aunt’s side. His education, specifies the daily, was “built in particular on the idea that extremes never bring anything good”. Being suddenly assimilated to a racist ideology was “unbearable” for him, which explains his strong reaction and his apology statement published alone, in the middle of the night.
This revelation radically changes the perception of the affair. It depicts a young man wounded in his deep values, who acted without calculation, far from a communication operation orchestrated by his club or its agents. PSG also ended up supporting its player, highlighting the “sincerity” of its approach. A spontaneous approach, that of a boy who favored substance over form to put out a fire that affected his identity.
After the controversy, the revelations about Chevalier’s education
The Chevalier affair was invited to Clairefontaine
The controversy did not stop at the gates of Camp des Loges. Called up for the French team, Lucas Chevalier arrived at Clairefontaine this Monday with this weight on his shoulders. Inevitably questioned on the subject at a press conference, coach Didier Deschamps played his role as a lightning rod. While recalling the need for players to be careful in the age of social networks, he confirmed having had a discussion with his goalkeeper.
The coach’s message was clear: the incident is closed. For Deschamps, whether it is a mistake or an error, the important thing now is to refocus on the field. Strong support which aims to protect the player and the France group. But if the chapter is officially closed in the eyes of the institution, the invisible sanction, that of image and suspicion, still weighs. Lucas Chevalier knows that he will have to prove himself well beyond the pitch for a long time to come.
