Khephren Thuram, speaking at the French high school in Turin attended by his brother Marcus, shared his personal experiences and thoughts on combating racism.
He recounted, “I stayed in Italy until I was 4 years old; I don’t remember well. In France, I encountered racism. I’m afraid there’s no specific place to find it; unfortunately, it’s an attitude we come across. I, too, have had my bad experiences.”
Addressing the role of football in fighting racism, Thuram emphasized the importance of proactive measures.
“There is the will. At Juventus, we often talk about how best to combat racism; we need to find effective communication and strong reactions. We must oppose it, report it,” he said.
Remaining silent to try to diminish the importance of those who behave this way is useless. Every incident must be brought to light; only in this way is a collective threshold of shame established, encouraging rejection. These are unacceptable atrocities.”
Regarding Serie A, he expressed appreciation for the league’s quality and its alignment with his and his brother’s professional aspirations.
“It’s a high-level championship, and that’s what we’re looking for. We fit in well here; my brother speaks Italian perfectly, I’m improving, and then there are different, unique matches: much more tactical than elsewhere, a game that enhances intelligence. The Thurams are well suited here. Moreover, Turin has filled me with love; in France, people are focused on themselves,” Thuram said.
When asked about competition with his brother Marcus, Khephren humbly downplayed any rivalry.
“I’m the younger brother; it’s not appropriate to provoke. Marcus is proud of me, I’m happy for him, and my father is really pleased to see us expressing ourselves at our best. Before being competitive, I need to win something; if I try now, they outclass me,” he claimed.
Finally, Thuram addressed a lighthearted remark from Tudor during his introduction as Juventus coach, where Tudor mentioned a conversation with Khephren’s father, Lilian, his former teammate at Juventus.
“I wasn’t there when they had this conversation. I can only reassure Tudor: I’ve never needed a slap,” he concluded.
