The latest outbreak of the 30-year war between the French football team and the far-right was sparked by Marcus Thuram. The striker said “we were all shocked” when the players heard about the far-right Rassemblement National’s success in European elections on June 9. No wonder: most players in the squad are of immigrant descent, and the RN opposes immigration.
The conflict spiked after President Emmanuel Macron called snap parliamentary elections, with a run-off vote scheduled for July 7. The French far-right’s best ever chance of entering a democratic government will coincide with the final week of the European football championship. France, who play the Netherlands this evening, are considered leading contenders for the trophy.
Thuram said: “We must fight so that the RN doesn’t pass.” He expressed “zero doubt” that “everyone in the team shares my vision”. His captain, Kylian Mbappé, was only slightly more cautious. Without naming the RN, he said he “shared the same values as Marcus”, was “against extremes”, and warned: “I hope I’ll still be proud to wear this shirt on July 7. I don’t want to represent a country that doesn’t correspond to our values.”