Jean-Clair Todibo (23) has spoken to the press and explained the reason he laughed during a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the Israel-Gaza conflict, as well as a teacher killed in Arras, that preceded France’s 2-1 victory over the Netherlands on Friday.
Todibo, who started Friday night’s European Championship qualifier on the bench, was filmed laughing during the minute’s silence. The OGC Nice defender was defended by international teammate Eduardo Camavinga (20) on Sunday, saying that the situation had been “misinterpreted.”
However, as reported by RMC Sport, the FFF have since asked for an explanation, with the federation’s Ethics Council reaching out to Todibo. The former Barcelona defender has now addressed the media to explain the situation. “I wanted to explain myself given the scale of the situation. The interpretation of the situation is pretty crazy. I don’t think I’m a disrespectful boy. I had a nervous laugh during the minute’s silence but I was in no way mocking the current situation,” he said in a press conference transcribed by Sports Zone.
His OGC Nice teammate, Youcef Atal (27) is also at the heart of a controversy relating to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. The Algerian international is under investigation from the Nice public prosecutor for “condoning terrorism” after he shared an anti-semitic video on social media. Atal has since apologised.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
