A few minutes before the kick-off of the 105th final of the Coupe de France between OGC Nice and FC Nantes, this Saturday at the Stade de France, the President of the Republic came to greet all the players of the two teams as tradition dictates.
After talking with the people of Nantes, the head of state then went to greet the people of Nice, including coach Christophe Galtier.
He took the opportunity to slip him a few words after a long hug.
“Mr. President, I am very happy to meet you.
I am your loyal supporter.
I'm very happy that I'm shaking hands with you, believe me.
You have my full support, ”said Galtier in the ear of the newly reinvested head of state.
“Why should the world of sport position itself?
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It is very rare to see a player or a coach so ostensibly show his empathy to a head of state during a Coupe de France final.
In 1989, Jean-Pierre Papin kissed François Mitterrand, after asking his permission, when receiving the Coupe de France trophy in the official stand of the Parc des Princes.
JPP then scored a hat-trick in the win against Monaco (4-3).
Right between the two rounds of the presidential election, Galtier had been invited to deliver his personal feelings on the upcoming ballot on April 24.
“A position on the second round?
Yes, personal.
And it will remain personal, he reacted.
Why should the world of sport position itself?
(…) I think everyone should vote.
We have this privilege in France to vote and it is a great privilege.
We are in the Republic.
Everyone must vote according to their sensitivity.
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Emmanuel Macron concluded his long day by attending the final between Nantes and Nice after being officially invested this Saturday at the Élysée.
Several athletes were present during the ceremony, which started at the end of the morning, including coach Didier Deschamps.