Since the recent results of the European elections, the French team has seen memories of Jean-Marie Le Pen’s attacks against the Blues resurface.
“I didn’t come to talk about that, I came to talk about football. » Present before the media, Wednesday for the first press briefing since the European elections and the dissolution of the National Assembly, Dayot Upamecano did not wish to venture onto the slippery slope of politics and the Blues are wondering about the march to be continued.
“We said among ourselves that we had a competition to prepare for and we try to keep all our focus on football and not talk about politics”whispered Kingsley Coman.
“ It’s not that I don’t want to take a stand, but given the situation in France… The alarm bells have been sounded. We must mobilize to go and vote, however launched Ousmane Dembélé on Thursday.One in two French people do not vote, we must mobilize. I want to tell people: everyone, go vote. » In the past, the players of the France team have not hesitated to talk politics. This was particularly the case in 1996 during the Euro. The fault of the attacks of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the president of the National Front judging “artificial that we bring in players from abroad by calling them the French team” and regretting that the majority of them, “Closed mouth, hostile face, do not sing the Marseillaise”.
Aimé Jacquet defends his flock
“I want to say he’s an asshole, but I won’t say it,” dared a Blue about Jean-Marie Le Pen.
“ When we are intelligent, we do not respond to such comments, moreover, when we are intelligent, we do not say such comments”engaged Lilian Thuram while Christian Karembeu said to himself “shocked to hear such comments. The diversity of the players of the France team is what makes its strength. I am proud to wear this jersey. »
Coach of the Blues, Aimé Jacquet also did not hesitate to respond to the leader of the National Front, defending his men. “I can tell you one thing, it is that the French team jersey is very well worn, and, as for the Marseillaise, I know that many mumble it and that no one forces them to sing it”he said, saddened by these attacks.
Shortly before the Euro, the former Stéphanois spoke about the mix of the French team in the columns of Télérama. “They like this jersey even more than their teammates,” he confided about players of foreign origin. They identify with the national flag. While we, French for generations, have sometimes wondered whether we should not deny it, under the pretext that some associate it with nationalism. »
