Karamoko Dembele has revealed he was racially abused by a team-mate during a Scotland youth camp, in a new interview with The Athletic. The Karamoko Dembele Scotland racism claims centre on an incident the former Celtic winger says left him humiliated and reluctant to speak out at the time.
Dembele, now at QPR after a spell in France with Brest, said the team-mate involved was two years older than him. He did not report the incident when it happened and admits it still feels uncomfortable to revisit. The Scottish FA has since issued a statement expressing sadness at his experience and confirming it has reached out to offer him support.
Primary Source Attribution & Official Details
Speaking to The Athletic, Dembele set out exactly what happened to him, in comments first reported by the Daily Record.
When I went to one of the Scotland camps, a team-mate was racist to me. He used a racial reference. He would always target me. I was so young, two years younger, I couldn’t defend myself physically but it was bullying, for sure. “I don’t even want to say what he said. I didn’t report it. I felt disgusted. When you’re racially abused, coming out and saying that someone said this feels quite embarrassing.”
The Scottish FA responded with a full statement after Dembele’s comments were published, confirming contact had already been made with the player.
We are saddened to learn of Karamoko’s experience while on international duty. The Scottish FA has made great strides in embedding a culture of equality and inclusion within all national teams. We have reached out to Karamoko to offer support but also to reaffirm our commitment to ensure everyone feels welcome and that measures are in place to prevent discrimination, whether real or perceived, within our camps. As part of Show Racism the Red Card’s Month of Action, we are launching a subsidised education programme to our member clubs designed to educate players, youth players, club staff and leaders. We will continue to support players across our squads and our member clubs, and work to eradicate all forms of discrimination in our national game.
Squad Impact & Tactical Context
Dembele joined Celtic from Park Villa Boys Club in 2013, at just ten years old. He spent nine years coming through the ranks at Parkhead, making ten first-team appearances and scoring one goal before his departure in 2022. During his time in Celtic’s youth system, he represented both England and Scotland at various age groups.
After leaving Celtic, Dembele moved to Brest in France, before completing a permanent transfer to QPR in the summer of 2025 following a loan spell in London. The Karamoko Dembele Scotland racism revelations have reopened a wider conversation about how young players are protected within international youth set-ups.
Celtic’s own academy continues to produce players who go on to represent their countries, a theme touched on in our coverage of recent international call-up developments. The club’s broader direction under Martin O’Neill’s first-team plans continues to shape how academy graduates are given their chance, even after they move on elsewhere.
What Happens Next / Upcoming Timeline
The Scottish FA says its subsidised education programme will be rolled out to member clubs. It comes as part of Show Racism the Red Card’s Month of Action, and aims to educate players, youth players, staff and leaders.
The governing body has confirmed ongoing support for Dembele and says it will keep working with clubs to eradicate discrimination from the domestic game.
Dembele has not named the team-mate involved, and there is no suggestion he intends to do so. For now, the focus remains on the support offered by the Scottish FA and the wider response from within the game to his decision to speak out.
