- X says 'alert' to manipulation efforts after pro-Russia bots report
- US, European markets rise before Boeing unveils sweeping job cuts
- Small Quebec company dominates one part of NHL hockey: jerseys
- Comoros shock Tunisia, Salah, Mbeumo strike in AFCON qualifiers
- Boeing to cut 10% of workforce as it sees big Q3 loss
- Germany win in Nations League as 10-man Dutch rescue point
- Undav brace sends Germany to victory against Bosnia
- Israel says fired at 'threat' near UN position in Lebanon
- Want to film in Paris? No sexism allowed
- Ecuador's last mountain iceman dies at 80
- Milton leaves at least 16 dead, millions without power in Florida
- Senegal set to announce breakaway development agenda: PM
- UN says 2 peacekeepers wounded in south Lebanon explosions
- Injury-hit Australia thrash 'embarrassing' Pakistan at Women's T20 World Cup
- Internal TikTok documents show prioritization of traffic over well-being
- Israel says fired at 'immediate threat' near UN position in Lebanon
- New US coach Pochettino hails Pulisic but worries over workload
- Brazil orders closure of 2,000 betting sites
- UK govt urged to raise pro-democracy tycoon's case with China
- Sculptor Lalanne's animal creations sell for $59 mn
- From Tesla to Trump: Behind Musk's giant leap into politics
- US, European markets rise as investors weigh rates, earnings
- In Colombia, children trade plastic waste for school supplies
- Supercharged hurricanes trigger 'perfect storm' for disinformation
- JPMorgan Chase profits top estimates, bank sees 'resilient' US economy
- Djokovic proves staying power as he progresses to Shanghai semi-finals
- Sheffield Utd boss Wilder 'numb' after Baldock death
- Little progress at key meet ahead of COP29 climate summit
- Fans immerse themselves in Marina Abramovic's first China exhibition
- Israel says conducting review after UN peacekeepers wounded in Lebanon
- 'Party atmosphere': Skygazers treated to another aurora show
- Djokovic 'overwhelmed' after 'greatest rival' Nadal's retirement
- Zelensky in Berlin says hopes war with Russia will end next year
- Kyrgyzstan opens rare probe into glacier destruction
- European Mediterranean states discuss Middle East, migration
- Djokovic proves staying power as progresses to Shanghai semi-finals
- Hurricane Milton leaves at least 16 dead as Florida cleans up
- Britain face 'ultimate challenge' in America's Cup duel with New Zealand
- Lebanon calls for 'immediate' ceasefire in Israel-Hezbollah war
- Nihon Hidankyo: Japan's A-bomb survivors awarded Nobel
- Thunberg leads pro-Palestinian, climate protest in Milan
- Boat captain rescued clinging to cooler in Gulf of Mexico after storm Milton
- Tears, warnings after Japan atomic survivors group win Nobel
- 'Unspeakable horror': the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- Stock markets diverge before China weekend briefing
- Christian villagers 'trapped' in south Lebanon crossfire
- Sabalenka sets up Gauff showdown in Wuhan semis
- EU questions shopping app Temu over illegal products risk
- Kim Sei-young holds lead with late birdies at LPGA Shanghai
- Toulouse welcome Dupont 'boost' as Olympic star returns to Top 14
French football boss defends freedom of expression of players
The president of the French Football Federation has said the France players at Euro 2024 are free to express their views on the political situation in the country even if the organisation would remain neutral.
"I have always said that I guaranteed that the players would have freedom of expression," FFF chief Philippe Diallo told reporters at the French team's European Championship base in Paderborn, western Germany, on Tuesday.
"But the principles of the FFF mean that you must avoid political or religious debates and remain neutral."
Diallo's comments come after France captain Kylian Mbappe and his teammate Marcus Thuram spoke out in recent days about upcoming parliamentary elections in the country which could see the far-right National Rally become the biggest party.
Thuram called on French voters to "fight" to stop the far right coming to power in the snap elections, the first round of which will take place on June 30 and the second round on July 7.
Mbappe spoke out "against extremes and divisive ideas" but did not explicitly speak in favour of any party ahead of the elections, but he did defend Thuram, saying he "had not gone too far" with his comments.
"The country needs to identify with the values of diversity and tolerance. That is undeniable. I really hope we make the right decision," Mbappe said.
Diallo said it was not for him to police the players and direct them as to what to say.
"It is not up to me to restrain the players if they wish to express themselves when it comes to subjects that matter to their generation," said Diallo.
"Certain players went further in taking a stand and I respect that.
"It is just that I am the president of a federation, not the leader of a party, so it is not my job to tell the French people how to vote.
"The institution cannot have the same freedom of expression as the players."
He added: "The France team belongs to all the French people. I don't want them to be used by anyone."
France began their Euro 2024 campaign by beating Austria 1-0 on Monday in Duesseldorf, a game in which Mbappe suffered a broken nose.
F.Dubois--AMWN