Chinese netizens are calling for a French news presenter’s firing following a racist whispered comment during coverage of China’s national day of mourning.

On Saturday, China commemorated those who had lost their lives during the coronavirus epidemic with three minutes of silence as the entire country came to a halt while air raid sirens and car horns sounded.

As live footage from the event was shown on BFM TV, the network’s business reporter Emmanuel Lechypre was heard whispering, “they are burying Pokemon.”

Qu'est ce qui est pire ? Le mec de BFNTV Emmanuel Lechypre qui qualifie les morts chinois de « Pokémon » Ou le fait qu'il s'excuse parce qu'il pensait que les micros étaient fermés…#RacismeDecomplexé pic.twitter.com/F0Q9GRdwbl — Charlies Ingalls (@ThePrairieFr) April 4, 2020

Lechypre later apologized on-air and on Twitter for “saying something totally inappropriate” when he thought his microphone was turned off.

BFM TV has said that he will be suspended for a week.

Ce matin sur BFM TV je me suis permis une remarque totalement déplacée pendant la diffusion d’un hommage aux victimes du virus en Chine. Ces propos inappropriés ont été diffusés à l’antenne alors que je pensais les micros fermés. Je tiens sincèrement à m’en excuser. — Emmanuel Lechypre (@Manu_Lechypre) April 4, 2020

As you might expect, Lechypre’s apology has not been accepted by China’s internet users who are calling for him to be fired rather than suspended for a week.

“China should also stop sending medical supplies to France for a week,” wrote one netizen.