Political statements: French association president supports Mbappé
French association president Philippe Diallo welcomes the clear words of Kylian Mbappé and Marcus Thuram about the shift to the right in the European elections and the new parliamentary elections. “I have always said that I allow the players their freedom of expression. These are young men who have an opinion on social issues,” said Diallo on Tuesday in Paderborn at the French team's European Championship headquarters.
Captain Mbappé and former Bundesliga striker Thuram in particular were shocked by the result of the European elections in France. “It is not my job to limit their desire to speak out on issues that affect their generation. I fully respect these positions,” said Diallo.
The right-wing nationalist party Rassemblement National received more than 31 percent of the votes in France in the European elections, while President Emmanuel Macron's party received just under 15 percent. Macron then called for new elections in France. “This is an important moment in the history of our country. Perhaps it is more important than ever,” said Mbappé the day before the first European Championship match against Austria (1:0), calling on young French people in particular to take part in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The French Football Federation (FFF), on the other hand, had warned against the political appropriation of national players. “The association cannot have the same freedom of expression as its players,” said Diallo. “I do not have to make election recommendations. I have to guarantee the principle of neutrality.”
Croatia's national team will have to do without midfielder Nicola Vlašić for the rest of the European Championship. The brother of former high jump world champion Blanka Vlašić left the team's quarters on Tuesday due to a muscle injury.
The Croatians announced this one day before their group match against Albania in Hamburg (Wednesday, 3 p.m. in the live ticker on t-online). “I'm very sorry that this new injury prevents me from helping the team,” said the 26-year-old from FC Turin. “But I believe in this team and will now be its biggest fan.” Vlašić did not play in the first match against Spain (0:3), and the team is now under considerable pressure after the opening defeat.
20 years and six days after his European Championship debut, Cristiano Ronaldo will set another European Championship record this Tuesday.
25 appearances and 14 goals at a European Championship – no footballer in Europe has scored more goals and played more often than Ronaldo.
