A festive and sporting event, the new edition of the African Cup of Nations, the Can, has been in full swing since the beginning of the month in a working-class district to the north of Paris. We discuss football, but also this year, more political subjects.
“All African communities are there for the Cup. That’s the fervor!”. Thunderous, the speaker galvanizes the crowd. It’s almost 8 p.m. in Square Léon in the heart of the Goutte-d’Or district. This evening, the quarter-finals of the fifth edition of the CAN are being played here. The African Cup of Nations, but district version.
Teams representing different communities compete for the title. Supporters are seated on stands and others crowd around a mini-stadium surrounded by high railings on which the flags of the nations involved in this new edition are hung.
Players warming up before the match.
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© Jean Forneris
This new edition of the African District Cup of Nations began a month ago at Goutte-d’Or and will end with a final on June 29. On the eve of the first round of the legislative elections.
“The upcoming elections are politicizing the atmosphere. Yesterday, I saw next to the flags, posters asking people to go and vote”, observes Samir, in his fifties. Sitting near the stadium, Samir worries and plans beyond the elections. “Honestly, what concerns me is the young people, how they will react? They will be afraid. I fear this kind of imbecility which will emerge if there is a change (…) Me, I I am not for the RN, I am for the workers”he specifies.
Ryan, in his thirties, came with a friend to attend the Cup to “think about something else”. “I don’t care about politics. But if I have to vote to defend myself, I’m going to vote to defend my rights”he blurted. “Already, I am against the extremes. On the right and left, there are extremes on both sides who are in this election and they are more and more massive and ready to make things happen. I know that this is not not the right direction.”
Supporters attend the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations at Goutte d’or.
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© Jean Forneris
Lamine Tandian, one of the CAN organizers recognizes this. Since the dissolution of the National Assembly took place on June 9 during the CAN, the political subject has interfered somewhat in footballing conversations. The day after the cup final on the 29th, there will be the result of the 1st round.
“I am especially disappointed with what politics has become in France. We have the impression that it is within the reach of people who have no real projects (…) that there is no only above-ground proposals”comments Lamine who contests the usefulness of proposals from the RN or Reconquest program such as the dismissal of immigrants after six months of unemployment or the abolition of land rights… “How these measures will allow the French to have a better living condition, there is absolutely no connection. In certain corners of France, there are plenty of much more major problems such as medical deserts”, he argues.
One of the spectators behind the stadium’s fence
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© Jean Forneris
Among the supporters, Brahim, an Algerian national, tries to see the players. The atmosphere has gone up a notch. Joyful and good-natured. Brahim says he has a resident card. He currently works and lives in the Goutte-d’Or district.
“We forget politics when we are there, we watch football, we are among ourselves“. Speaking of immigrants who have a resident card like him and who will not be able to vote, Brahim specifies: “Of course, we are not our country, but on the other hand, we work. We are here for that. We are not here to take the country. I’m a little worried. All the people I know in Goutte-d’Or are left-wing.” On the subject of obtaining French nationality, Brahim advances:“When a child is born here, he goes to a French school. So, obviously, he is French.”
The spectators are more and more numerous. It’s around 9 p.m. The announcer’s voice announces the next quarter-final and provides the audience with sports commentary.
To call to vote, between two sporting proclamations,“we made announcements on the microphone. We encourage people to awaken their political conscience. In the neighborhood, we often tended to minimize all that,” explains Lamine Tandian, co-organizer of the CAN. “We tell them that if they are happy to attend this type of sporting event like today, it is because it is supported by the values of fraternity, freedom and the values of diversity.”
We would like politics to be more considered here, even among the youngest, those who are not yet old enough to vote. Let it become a topic of discussion.
Lamine Tandian, co-organizer of the CAN
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Kolo, who recently came from Ivory Coast, has not yet heard these announcements on the microphone. This is the first time he has set foot in Square Léon to attend a CAN match. Sitting slightly behind, Kolo, barely in his thirties, wants to be discreet.
Without papers, waiting for regularization, the young man comments with great caution on the French political climate. “I have a little brother who lives here with his family, but I live on my own (…) I’m a little wary. I don’t go to places where there are people, I have a not afraid, I’m not yet in good standing”he whispers.
