France’s former Bundesliga professional Ibrahima Konaté has made a plea for more humanity in his homeland. “Diversity has always been our strength in France,” said the 25-year-old defender of the Équipe Tricolore at a press conference in the European Championship quarters of the vice-world champions.
“I come from a family with a migrant background,” Konaté stressed. “Prejudices and stereotypes must stop.” There is always a minority that can harm the majority.
Konaté is not the first player from the French squad to make political statements during the European Championship, after the right-wing nationalist party Rassemblement National received more than 31 percent of the vote in the European elections in France. President Emmanuel Macron’s party, on the other hand, received just under 15 percent. Macron then called new elections.
“When I see my parents, who had difficult jobs as garbage collectors and cleaners with impossible working hours, it makes me sad if we don’t highlight these people who sacrificed their health for France,” said Konaté. The Liverpool FC professional stressed that people need to be approached: “Behind their appearance, behind their skin color, there are hearts. That’s the most important thing.”
The French will play against Belgium this Monday for a place in the quarter-finals of the European Football Championship. Konaté has not yet played.