FRANCE international Jean-Clair Todibo has explained his “nervous laughing” during a minute’s silence for the victims of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Nice centre-back, 23, was seen laughing during the moment of respect ahead of France’s clash with the Netherlands on Friday.
The minute’s silence also took place to remember a teacher killed in Arras.
Eduardo Camavinga subsequently came out in defence of his team-mate by insisting his actions had been “misinterpreted”.
And Todibo, who started the win over the Netherlands on the bench, has now given his reasoning for the seemingly heartless reaction.
As reported by Sports Zone, he said: “I wanted to explain myself given the scale of the situation.
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“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.”
According to RMC Sport, the France Football Federation had reached out to Todibo for an explanation.
France beat the Netherlands 2-1 thanks to a Kylian Mbappe brace.
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The win maintains Didier Deschamps’ side’s 100 per cent record in qualifying and booked their place at Euro 2024.
France have reached back-to-back World Cup finals under Deschamps – winning in 2018 before losing to Argentina last year.
But at the Euros in 2021, they were eliminated in the last 16 after losing to Switzerland on penalties.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
