Turn off the TV and go see the world: Football star slams French journalist in defense of Turkey

Senegalese football star Demba Ba clapped back at a French journalist who insinuated that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) players would be unsafe in Istanbul ahead of their match with Medipol Başakşehir on Wednesday, following the recent row between Ankara and Paris over President Emmanuel Macron’s insulting comments against Islam and Prophet Mohammad.

Ba’s tweet, which went viral on social media, was directed at French journalist Pierre Ménès who made speculations on Twitter regarding the safety of PSG players in Istanbul in light of recent events.

“Don’t worry your head about it Pierrot, they will be safe...😉🙏🏿. It doesn’t hurt to turn off the TV from time to time and see the world on your own to discover the beauty and kindness of people you do not know,” Ba’s tweet read, addressing the journalist using the derogatory pet name “Pierrot,” often reserved for children.

In recent weeks, Macron has attacked Islam and the Muslim community, accusing Muslims of "separatism." He described Islam as “a religion in crisis all over the world.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in turn said that the French president needed a mental health check, repeating a rebuke that caused France to recall its ambassador from Ankara over the weekend, as he appealed to Turks to shun French products.

"Just like they say 'Don't buy good with Turkish brands' in France, I am calling to all my citizens from here to never help French brands or buy them," Erdogan said.

Macron’s comments coincided with a provocative move by Charlie Hebdo, a left-wing French satirical magazine infamous for publishing anti-Islamic caricatures which have drawn widespread anger and outrage across the Muslim world.

Earlier this year, it republished cartoons insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad.

The caricatures were first published in 2006 by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, sparking a wave of protests.