President Emmanuel Macron intervened to ask France’s footballers to greet followers after their defeat within the World Cup last, resulting in a quick public ceremony, the French soccer federation chief mentioned on Tuesday. France’s gamers initially needed to move straight residence Monday after their loss on penalties to Argentina the earlier night, the top of the French Football Federation, Noel Le Graet, advised AFP in a press release. “Under the weight of the disappointment, the sadness and such strong emotions, I understood this choice and I respected it,” he mentioned.

“The situation changed around 10:00 am (on Monday) after an exchange with the president, who wanted a moment of communion. Naturally I accepted along with the team,” he added.

After a complicated day of contradictory statements, the French gamers ultimately appeared for a couple of minutes on Monday night on the balcony of the five-star Crillon lodge on the historic Place de la Concorde. Around 50,000 individuals packed the general public sq. to wave, cheer and sing the nationwide anthem, many having waited for greater than 4 hours at the hours of darkness and chilly.

Despite a principally festive ambiance, some within the crowd grumbled that the gamers have been barely seen as they waved regally from the balcony behind a large police cordon. Several French gamers mentioned they have been delighted by the sight of the group.

“Frankly, it’s magnificent, it warms the heart, it’s a great pleasure to see that we were able to make so many French people proud and happy,” ahead Marcus Thuram advised TF1 TV.

Reaction in France has been overwhelmingly supportive of the nationwide group which got here near retaining the World Cup regardless of a collection of accidents to senior gamers reminiscent of Ballon D’Or winner Karim Benzema and a virus within the camp final week. Macron’s efficiency on the last on the Lusail Stadium outdoors Doha on Sunday has sparked virtually as a lot commentary as that of the group.

The 44-year-old soccer fan could possibly be seen leaping from his seat in the course of the recreation earlier than descending to console the distraught gamers on the finish as they crumpled to the turf following the penalty shoot-out. The centrist then delivered a post-game pep speak within the altering room, resulting in criticism from some home opponents and commentators that he was intruding an excessive amount of into the group’s area.

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