France defender explains why he LAUGHED during minute's silence for Israel and Palestine war victims

Jean-Clair Todibo says he never meant to disrespect when he let out a 'nervous laugh' during a minute's silence before France's game against the Netherlands.

The former Barcelona and current Nice defender started in their Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands and sparked fury when a clip emerged of him appearing to laugh during a minute's silence held to honour the victims of the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine. According to reports in France the French football federation reached out to the defender for an explanation.

But he says it was simple a 'nervous' laugh that has since been misinterpreted. Insisting he meant no disrespect, he said: “I wanted to explain myself given the scale of the situation. The interpretation of the situation is pretty crazy. I don’t think I’m a disrespectful boy. I had a nervous laugh during the minute’s silence but I was in no way mocking the current situation.”

The 2022 World Cup finalists face Scotland in a friendly on Tuesday night.