FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
" If I had one wish, it would be for you to ask my players about the opponents and about football ," France coach Didier Deschamps said after the World Cup squad was announced. " I understand that sometimes you feel compelled to ask other questions, but they are not there to answer them ."
On the eve of his final tour as France coach, Deschamps has faced repeated questions about politics and other issues outside football. He has sought to protect his players from media pressure while stressing that the team is not detached from political and social realities.
" The geopolitical situation is complex, but that doesn't mean it's a taboo subject. We talk about everything, both among the players and among ourselves ," said the 57-year-old coach.
Deschamps was also asked about comments by France captain Kylian Mbappé, who in an interview with Vanity Fair magazine again criticized the French far-right. The Real Madrid forward reiterated his stance against Marine Le Pen's National Rally party, ahead of next year's presidential election.
" I know what it means and what consequences it can have for my country when such people come to power ," Mbappe declared.
Deschamps defended the striker's right to publicly express his opinions.
" Freedom of expression applies to everyone, even my players. I will never tell them not to speak. They know that there are sensitive topics, but they are citizens and they have the right to have a position ," he said. However, the coach added that he himself will never comment on these political issues.
" What interests me is the Chilean as a person and as a footballer. But he is also a citizen and has the right to be influenced by the developments that take place. Whatever he does, he will be criticized, whether he speaks or remains silent. I will only judge him for what he does on the pitch ," Deschamps added.
Mbappe is part of a long tradition of French footballers who have publicly opposed the far right. In 2002, Zinedine Zidane called on voters to reject Jean-Marie Le Pen in the presidential run-off, arguing that his policies were not in line with French values. Lilian Thuram has also been one of the most vocal critics of the far right, particularly for attacks on the multi-ethnic composition of the French national team.
This commitment was also brought back into the spotlight during "EURO 2024", when early parliamentary elections in France were held in parallel with the tournament. Markus Thuram, son of Lilian Thuram, called on citizens to "fight every day" against the far right. A few days later, Mbappé said he shared the same concern and warned against voting for "extremists", who he said were "on the verge of power".
In the end, Marine Le Pen's party finished third in the decisive round of parliamentary elections, behind the left-wing coalition and allies of President Emmanuel Macron. Several French footballers celebrated the result on social media.
However, Mbappe's recent comments have sparked mixed reactions in French football. His former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Presnel Kimpembe told RTL radio that politics is not his field, adding that everyone has the right to think and express their own beliefs.
On the other hand, some football figures have argued that political statements could create unnecessary tension ahead of a major tournament. Former world champion Christophe Dugarr described Mbappe's comments as brave, but warned that they could have consequences for the atmosphere within the national team.
A similar stance was taken by French legend Michel Platini. In an interview with "RTL", he said that the French captain should maintain political neutrality.
" You play for all French people. The moment you take sides, you lose the support of half the people ," Platini declared.
So far, Mbappe has shown no signs of changing his approach.
Although this tour does not coincide with national elections in France, next year's presidential campaign is approaching and polls so far list Jordan Bardella, the expected candidate of the National Rally, as the favorite to succeed Emmanuel Macron.
Despite Deschamps' desire to keep the focus on football, the French national team is expected to continue to face political questions, both over developments in France and over issues related to the United States, where the team has set up base during the tournament. In this context, any statement by Mbappe will continue to be closely followed, not only for his performances on the pitch, but also for his attitudes off it./" The Guardian ", adapted in Albanian, Pamphlet
Lini një Përgjigje