France and England Prepare for Euro 2024 Quarter-Final Clashes Amid Political Turbulence

France and England are gearing up for the quarter-final showdown at Euro 2024. France will face Portugal on Friday, while the Three Lions will take on Switzerland on Sunday. Both matches hold significant importance as they coincide with crucial parliamentary elections in both countries.

French Team’s Vocal Stance on Political Situation

French captain Kylian Mbappé has been vocal about the political situation in France. He warned that the country is facing a “catastrophic” political scenario, with the possibility of a far-right government coming into power. Mbappé urged citizens to vote, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

Other French players, including Jules Koundé, Ousmane Dembele, Marcus Thuram, and Olivier Giroud, have also expressed their concerns about the political direction of the country. They have called on the French people to actively participate in the electoral process to prevent extremist groups from gaining power.

England’s Players Remain Tight-Lipped on Voting Intentions

On the other hand, the English players have maintained a more reserved approach towards discussing politics. Defender John Stones described the England camp as a “politics-free zone” and mentioned that players keep their voting intentions private. The team is focused on their upcoming quarter-final match against Switzerland.

Erdoğan’s Support for Turkey Amid Diplomatic Controversy

Meanwhile, Turkey is embroiled in a diplomatic controversy with host country Germany. After a player’s controversial political gesture during a match, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan canceled a trip to Azerbaijan to support the Turkish team in Berlin. The gesture, associated with Turkish nationalism, sparked tensions and led to UEFA opening an investigation into the player’s actions.

The incident highlighted the sensitivity around nationalist symbols at the tournament, with UEFA imposing fines on several countries for similar gestures.