“Immigrants are over-represented in the French national team in the World Cup,” a far-right politician has said adding, “I do not think this team represent France”.
Marion Marechal is the niece of far-right politician Marine Le Pen, and belongs to the recently formed Reconquête party, whose name refers to Spain’s “Reconquista” period when Christians drove Muslim rulers out of the country.
Her comments ignore the fact that many black and Arab players were born in France, as well as the reality that the players – like millions of others in the country – are proud to be both French by nationality while also having roots in Africa or elsewhere.
Some have jokingly called France Africa’s sixth team on account of having many footballers who boast African connections, and this image from Morocco World News
is being shared widely online:
Source: BBC