2023-07-01 00:01:51
In the letter, they say that they share “the feelings of pain and sadness”, but emphasize that “to this suffering is added that of helplessly watching a true process of self-destruction”
Paris, France
“The time for violence must stop to give way to mourning, dialogue and reconstruction”, the players of the French national team asked in a statement this Friday (30), in reference to the violent riots that took over the streets of the country.
Kylian Mbappé published the text of the message on his Twitter account, accompanied by a French flag.
The ‘Bleus’ said they felt “shocked by the brutal death of young Nahel” and made an appeal for “calm, awareness and responsibility”, guaranteeing that violent acts in the streets must cease and give way to “other forms peaceful and constructive ways of expressing themselves”.
Violent clashes with police have rocked several neighborhoods and city centers in France since the death on Tuesday of 17-year-old Nahel, shot at point-blank range by a police officer during a roadblock in Nanterre, west of the capital.
“Since this tragic event, we are witnessing the expression of popular anger that deep down we understand but cannot accept in form,” wrote the French national team players in the text, which they shared on their personal accounts.
In the letter, they say that they share “the feelings of pain and sadness”, but emphasize that “to this suffering is added that of watching with impotence a true process of self-destruction”.
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“You are destroying your assets, your neighborhoods, your cities, your places of leisure and proximity”, they detail.
“In this context of extreme tension, we cannot remain silent and our citizen conscience incites us to ask for calm, awareness and responsibility” because “there are other peaceful and constructive ways of expressing yourself”.
In a separate message, sent to the fans of the French national team, coach Didier Deschamps applauded “the players’ initiative”.
“My coaching staff and I joined her,” said the coach.
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“We are also thinking about Nahel’s family. Without wanting to teach anyone, I am deeply convinced that violence never solved anything. I hope with all my heart that the situation calms down”, said the coach of the current world runner-up.
France Media Agency
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