Metz, Jan 31 (AP) The French basketball federation has opened a disciplinary case after a Black player was reportedly targeted by a racist insult during a lower-league game.

Metz point guard Loic Akono said he was called a “bonobo" by a fan during a game at Charleville-Mezieres over the weekend. Bonobos are similar to chimpanzees.

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Akono left the court before the end of the third quarter after the referee threatened to charge him with a technical foul if he kept arguing with the crowd.

The French federation said Tuesday it has opened a disciplinary case, noting its “zero tolerance" policy toward “incivilities, violence and unsportsmanlike behavior during official basketball games."

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Metz plays in the fourth division. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)