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Football in France is a part of the identity of the country and its values. Football provides a shared experience for all people supporting. The nation’s entertainment industry is also impacted by football culture. Many artists draw inspiration from the sport. These artists help stories of the sport to a wider audience.

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France celebrates winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup

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Soccer in France is a beloved sport that runs deep through the country and their culture. During international tournaments, the country unites for one sole purpose. Street soccer is also a big part of French communities in the suburban and metropolitan areas. Known as the “working man’s game”, the sport is easily accessible to all those around the country. France is a diverse team which is fitting for a diverse country. The sport gives many a great sense of national pride.

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During the European Championship in 2016, the host nation France’s economy was boosted. The CEO of uefa events said that this boom in France’s economy shows that French fans and fans all over the world are willing to spend money for this tournament. Visitors to France averaged 9 days in France, spending 154 euros a day. The total amount spent by visitors was 625.8 million euros. This was a great return as it canceled out the 200 million euros spent in public money getting France ready to host the tournament.

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With 1.9 million licensed players in their league, soccer is the most popular sport in France. In 1919, the FFF was created (French Football Federation) and has been responsible for all events taking place in every league across France. The accessibility to the game is a large part of is growth. The French view soccer as not a game but a passion. They will play in the streets with whatever they can find around them. The FFF also sets training facilities outside their country like in French Polynesia to develop their players. The French are more inclined to play an outdoor sport than indoor as they prefer that to gym culture.

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Reactions after France’s 2010 World Cup exit

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Many of the players on France are descendants of immigrants. The way these players are treated after successes and failures is as different as day and night. After France won the World Cup in 1998 the country rejoiced and people called the team the perfect representation of France showing the benefit of immigration and racial integration. These players were hailed as icons for brining the cup home. In 2010 after an embarrassing exit at the World Cup, the tone changed. The fans and media came down hard on these players even straight up attacking them. Politicians used this moment to know criticize racial integration and immigration as if they weren’t worshipping these players just 12 years ago. When Les Bleus fail to deliver people look at them and their perception of immigrant communities change.

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Many footballers that have played for France have gone on to become voices for social change throughout France. Since their World Cup win in 1998 many players on that team have become important voices. Paul Pogba, Karim Benzem, etc. Many of the African players in France also follow Islam like Paul Pogba and Ngolo Kante. Pogba and Kante being Black Muslim soccer players has opened them up to a lot of prejudice and abuse as well. During a friendly match against Russia in St Petersburg in 2018, Kante and Pogba were subject to racist chants and monkey noises.

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Lillian Thuram (right) with his son Marcus

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Lillian Thuram is a former French soccer player who was apart of that 1998 World Cup winning squad. After his retirement Thuram became an anti-racism activist and in 2008 he founded the Lillian Thuram Foundation. This foundation set the goal of dismantling systemic racism and educate people of France and around the world about discrimination. Thuram says that racism cuts deep into a person and leaves wounds. When he first got to France from Guadeloupe at the age of 9, peers called him a dirty black man. Thuram experienced a lot of racism during his playing career. He was told on the bench once by a teammate, “With your physique and my intelligence we would be the best” as if black players had to have one or the other. While playing in Italy he also was subjected to monkey noises by fans. He knew that these people were just making these noises to feel better about themselves and that helped him get through the situation.