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EMMANUEL MACRON

VIDEO: France’s Macron scores in charity football match

French President Emmanuel Macron was a penalty hero on Wednesday as he donned studs alongside ex-star footballers Didier Drogba, Didier Deschamps and Eden Hazard to raise money for children in hospital.

Published: 25 April 2024 09:39 CEST
VIDEO: France's Macron scores in charity football match
French President Emmanuel Macron (2nd R) prepares to score a penalty kick during the Varietes Club charity football match to benefit children in hospital, in Bernard Giroux stadium, in Plaisir, outside Paris, on April 24, 2024. (Photo by Benoit Tessier / POOL / AFP)

Macron’s spot-kick — scored against a goalkeeper who did not move — helped the presidential XI defeat a team of healthcare professionals from the Parisian suburb of Plaisir coached by iconic former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, 5-3.

It was the second time that Macron had pulled on a football jersey during his presidency, having also scored a penalty in 2021 against another team of healthcare professionals from Paris suburbs in another charity match.

Wednesday’s charity match, which contributed to raising €57,500 for a hospital foundation presided over by Macron’s wife Brigitte, was organised by the Varieties Club of France (VCF).

The VCF has earned a reputation in France for organising benefit matches and attracting star names to take part, such as former France coach Laurent Blanc.

The VCF has organised almost 2,500 matches since it was formed in 1971.

Wearing the number three on his white jersey, Macron played the full 90 minutes for a team that also included former France international Christian Karembeu.

Brigitte Macron’s hospital foundation was launched in 1989 and aims to raise funds for children and teenagers receiving hospital treatment.

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EMMANUEL MACRON

Macron says ‘all European nationalists are hidden Brexiteers’

French President Emmanuel Macron said all European nationalists were "hidden Brexiteers" in an interview with the Economist published on Thursday, warning voters ahead of European elections next month.

Published: 2 May 2024 15:40 CEST
Macron says 'all European nationalists are hidden Brexiteers'

“I say to Europeans: Wake up. Wake up! They are hidden Brexiteers. All European nationalists are hidden Brexiteers. It’s all the same lies,” he said.

“Make no mistake. If you entrust the keys to people who think like they do, there is no reason why Europe should become a great power,” he said.

“In a way it’s as if we were saying it’s not a problem if we entrust the bank to robbers. When they are around the table, they take Europe hostage.”

Macron gave the example of the French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party, which is now leading in opinion polls for the European contest, ahead of his own centrist alliance.

The RN “wanted to pull out of Europe, out of the euro, out of everything,” he said.

“Now it no longer says anything. It’s reaping the benefits of Europe, while wanting to destroy it without saying anything.

“And that’s true in every country,” he added.

He noted that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose Brothers of Italy party has neo-fascist roots, had “a European approach” and had “supported the asylum and immigration pact”.

But “after that, the best way of building together is to have as few nationalists as possible”, he added.

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