French President Francois Hollande said on Saturday the players who represented France at football should take a leaf out of the book of the young men who don the French army uniform.
"Look at the soldiers who marched here, they don't earn a lot of money and they are prepared to give their lives. 83 soldiers have died in Afghanistan," said Hollande, who is due to honour a pre-election promise and withdraw all French troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year.
"Among these young men who marched, who are in theatres of war, they come from all walks of life, including the most difficult areas, therefore the French footballers problem is not one of integration but of respect."
Hollande added that it was also nothing to do with the players being overpaid. "It is not simply a problem of money. "The Spanish side which won the European Championship are very well paid but you saw what they are like as a team during the game?! (...) Spain are not doing well economically but the team did them some good, to all those Spaniards who are suffering.
"When one wears the national jersey, it is also imperative one thinks of all those who are suffering," said the 57-year-old.
"When you are a member of the France team, you have to have respect for the jersey, respect for the spectators, respect for the other team," he said.
"It is not results that I judge them on, it is their attitude.
"When one wears the French team jersey, you have to be on your best behaviour."
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