Ibrahima Konate posts passionate plea over dangerous 'harm' France could bring

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has admitted he is worried about the future of France ahead of the country’s National Assembly elections.

A snap election called by President Emmanuel Macron will see the French public head to the polls on June 30 and July 7 to vote, following the success of the far-right National Rally at the European Parliament elections earlier this month.

Amidst their Euro 2024 campaign, Didier Deschamps’ France squad has been vocal in calling for the general public to reject the advances of the far-right. And now Liverpool defender Konate has become the latest French player to speak out against those “who want to divide people”, admitting he is worried about France’s future.

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“Of course what is happening in France worries me,” Konate told media at a press conference. "We can’t leave power in the hands of people who want to divide people. Diversity is France’s strength. I come from an immigrant family. Prejudice and stereotypes have to stop, we all have to be together in all circumstances.

“I’m saddened by the ban on wearing the veil in the public space. You never hear from the people affected by these issues…You have to look beyond appearances, beyond skin color, you have to go and meet the other person. You can’t make a jigsaw puzzle with just the same pieces, you need diversity, and different pieces to build something solid.

Konate added: "There’s always a minority who will harm the majority. My parents have (had) jobs as cleaning ladies, and binmen, with impossible working hours, and when I see that we don’t highlight these kinds of people who have given their health for France, it saddens me.

“I encourage everyone to go and vote, I know it’s a personal choice, I don’t tell people what to vote for, but we have to be together in all circumstances. Life is short, it’s beautiful and we have to enjoy it and be together and not be divisive.”

Away from the French election drama, Konate and co are preparing for a round of 16 clash against Belgium in Düsseldorf. Should they progress against Belgium, then France will face either Portugal or Slovenia on July 5 in the quarter-finals.