“The France team were en route to training when news emerged that the far right in the French elections had been defeated. Happiness and relief coursed through a group of young sportsmen who had taken it upon themselves to speak out in favour of the legendary national motto of ‘liberté, égalité, fraternité’. It took courage and confidence to tackle such a sensitive issue so publicly. The response to the election result from within the camp spoke volumes about how profound it has been for their message to have arguably helped swing the vote. … Kylian Mbappe had urged the public to vote and appealed in particular to the youth of France, warning against the dangers of extreme and divisive ideas. How must those players have felt watching the pictures coming through of young people crying in celebration as the election results assuaged their worst fears? …”
NY Times/The Athletic
NY Times/The Athletic: France, racial politics and why ‘the Mbappe effect’ is shaping a bitter election
