Jean-Clair Todibo will have to explain himself to the National Ethics Council.
On the bench in Amsterdam on Friday evening while the Blues faced the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, Jean-Clair Todibo was caught by the television cameras laughing during the minute of silence dedicated to recent victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to Dominique Bernard, the professor murdered in Arras by a religious fanatic. A scene which earned him a summons before the National Ethics Council (CNE).
“ By mail, we officially request explanations from Mr. Todibo on his incomprehensible attitude during this minute of silencesays Patrick Anton, the president of the CNE, as relayed by L’Equipe. If they are not satisfactory, we will refer the matter to the disciplinary committee of the French Federation so that it can deal with the case. » Expected to start Tuesday against Scotland in a friendly match, the 23-year-old Nice defender could thus receive a sporting sanction.
Todibo explains
Aware of the controversy born from this unwelcome laughter, the person concerned wanted to explain himself already on the sidelines of the press conference of Didier Deschamps and Mike Maignan. “ I wanted to express myself in relation to the extent that the situation is taking. The interpretation of the situation is quite crazy. I don’t think I’m a disrespectful guy when it comes to these things. I gave a nervous laugh but in no way was I making fun of the current situation. The context was quite special, in the stands we were among the opposing supporters. Some made certain jokes and I had a nervous laugh. In no way was I making fun of the situation. I am touched because it taints the education that my mother gave me. You should know that my mother works in national education, it could have happened to her (the attack of which Dominique Bernard was the victim, editor’s note). »
