French far-right leader Bardella slams Mbappe on election comments

Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Group D - Austria v France - Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany - June 17, 2024 France's Kylian Mbappe in action REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay

PARIS (Reuters) - French far-right leader Jordan Bardella criticised star footballer Kylian Mbappe on Tuesday for his call on the youth to vote against the "extremes" in parliamentary elections this month.

"I have a lot of respect for our footballers, whether Marcus Thuram or Kylian Mbappe, who are icons of football and icons for youth ... But we must respect the French, we must respect everyone's vote," Bardella told CNews TV.