Politics is on France players’ minds ahead of last 16 match against Belgium at Euro 2024
France players Benjamin Pavard, left, Olivier Giroud, second left, Jonathan Clauss, second right, and Ibrahima Konate run during a training session in Paderborn, Germany, Wednesday, June 19, 2024. France will play against Netherland during their Group D soccer match at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament on June 21. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Hassan Ammar]
PADERBORN, Germany (AP) — Ahead of France’s first knockout match at the European Championship, some of the players are turning their minds to politics back home. Sunday sees the first of two rounds of National Assembly elections called by France President Emmanuel Macron in an attempt to counter success for his far-right opponents in European parliamentary elections on June 9. That comes the day before France’s soccer team plays Belgium in the round of 16 at Euro 2024. France defender Ibrahima Konaté says “I urge everyone to go and vote” and adds “we mustn’t be divided, that will only bring harm to everyone and to future generations.”
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FILE - From left, France players Olivier Giroud, Jonathan Clauss and Ibrahima Konate run during a training session in Paderborn, Germany, Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Ahead of France’s first knockout match at the European Championship, some of the players are turning their minds to politics back home. France defender Ibrahima Konaté says “I urge everyone to go and vote” and adds "we mustn’t be divided, that will only bring harm to everyone and to future generations.” (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Hassan Ammar