By Le Figaro
Posted yesterday at 22:21, Updated 2 hours ago
The Blues denounce a “true process of self-destruction”. FRANCK FIFE / AFP
The players of the French football team speak with one voice this Friday to demand an end to the violence after the death of young Nahel.
Three days after the death of young Nahel, shot at close range by a policeman after refusing to comply in Nanterre, the emotion is still strong. And overflows, numerous, in the four corners of the country… “Marked and shocked by the brutal deathof the 17-year-old boy, the players of the France team publish a press release this Friday evening, on social networks. “First of all, our thoughts go out to him and his family, to whom we offer our sincere condolences.“, they say, explaining not to be able”remain insensitive to the circumstances in which this unacceptable death took place».
But the players of the France team also and above all express themselves about the riots of recent days. “Since this tragic event, we have been witnessing the expression of popular anger whose substance we understand, but whose form we cannot endorse. Coming for many of us from working-class neighborhoods, these feelings of pain and sadness, we also share them. But to this suffering is added that of assisting powerless to a real process of self-destruction. Violence solves nothing, even less when it inevitably and tirelessly turns against those who express it, their families, loved ones and neighbours. It is your property that you are destroying, your neighborhoods, your cities, your places of fulfillment and proximity.“, they explain with one voice, while some players from the vice-world champion selection have already spoken individually, such as Jules Koundé or Kylian Mbappé.
Without wanting to give lessons to anyone, I have the deep conviction that violence has never solved anything.
Didier Deschamps
And to add:In this context of extreme tension, we cannot remain silent and our civic conscience encourages us to call for appeasement, awareness and accountability. That of social actors, parents, older or younger brothers and sisters in our neighborhoods, who must work to restore peace to our cities. The “living together”, to which we are attached, is in danger, and it is the responsibility of all of us to preserve it. There are other peaceful and constructive ways to express yourself. It is in this that our energies and our reflections must be concentrated. The time of violence must end to make way for that of mourning, dialogue and reconstruction.” Message received ?
President of the FFF, Philippe Diallowelcomes the call for calm and an end to the violence launched by our players from the French team. Footballers and Citizens“. Didier Deschamps and his staff also subscribe to this collective initiative of French players. “While our country is suffering, our players have decided to call for calm. I salute their initiative, with which my staff and I associate ourselves. We also have a thought for Nahel’s family. However, without wanting to give lessons to anyone, I have the deep conviction that violence has never solved anything. I sincerely hope that the situation will calm down.“Says the coach of the France team.
