EURO 2024 QUALIFIERS
France defender Todibo apologises for laughing during minute’s silence for victims of Hamas-Israel conflict
The tribute before a Euro 2024 qualifier in the Netherlands was also paid to a teacher killed in France last week.
Former Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo has hit the headlines over the last few days after clips emerged of him laughing during a minute’s silence ahead of France’s Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. The tribute was paid as a mark of respect to victims of the conflict between Hamas and Israel, as well as a teacher who was killed last week in an alleged terrorist attack in the northern French town of Arras.
Todibo asked to explain laughter
Before France’s friendly match against Scotland in Lille on Tuesday, Todibo, who was asked by the French Football Federation’s (FFF) national ethics council to explain his actions, requested to speak to the media in an attempt to clear up a “misunderstanding”.
“I wanted to speak today to address the seriousness of how the situation has been interpreted, which is just crazy. There was nervous laughter, but in no way did I intend to make light of the current situation.”
Defender sorry for “nervous laugh”
“You have to understand the context; we were in the middle of opposition fans who had made certain jokes, and that nervous laugh just came out. I want to apologise to anyone I may have offended; that’s the least I can do. I hope there are no further misunderstandings.”
Todibo: “Not a true reflection of who I am”
“It upsets me because it goes against everything my mother taught me. Some people said that I laughed during the minute’s silence because I was mocking the death of a teacher; they should know that my mother has worked in national education for 20 years, and I have huge respect for these people. This could have happened to my mother. It bothers me because it’s not a true reflection of who I am. I believe I am a person with very good manners and respect for the people who stand in front of me.”
France head coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged that Todibo “didn’t behave the way he should’ve done” during the minute’s silence. But he also revealed it was the defender’s wish to explain the situation. “It’s become a big thing and he’s been affected by it. But it’s always good to say things in your own words so he wanted to come and and talk. He apologised to me. It’s not the best situation for him but he’s still available for tomorrow’s game.”