South African born comedian Trevor Noah has clashed with a French diplomat over France’s recent World Cup victory.
The US based comedian had said that the identity of the France national team means Africa won the world cup.
“French African Team”
15 out of the 23 players in the France national squad can trace their heritage back to Africa. They come from mainly French colonies.
France beat Croatia in the final on Sunday in Russia’s capital Moscow.
France’s progress to the deciding game kept alive interest for Africa with the diverse and multi-cultured French squad.
The black players have roots linked to Algeria, Angola, Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo.
Noah’s comments on his The Daily Show based on these details did not delight the US ambassador to France, Gerard Araud.
The ambassador according to Noah wrote a letter to him to express his displeasure. He read the letter live on his show.
Noah is not alone
The President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro has also said that Africa won the football World Cup for France.
The French ambassador to the U.S. @GerardAraud criticized Trevor for congratulating Africa on France’s World Cup victory. Trevor responds #BetweenTheScenes: pic.twitter.com/5nJklXRyY8
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) July 19, 2018
He says the high number of African immigrants that played in the France national team helped them win the tournament.
Maduro asked Europe to look back on this achievement and end discrimination against immigrants.
Venezuela state television quoted him as saying “the French team won, although it looked like an African team. Actually, Africa won – the African immigrants who have arrived in France. I hope Europe receives that message”
No more racism in Europe against the African people, no more discrimination against immigrants,” he added.
Source: Africafeeds.com