Joel Embiid Shares NSFW Response to the French Fans Booing Him at Paris Olympics

Mar. 15, 2025

Joel Embiid #11 of Team United States at the Paris Olympics.Photo:Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Joel Embiidhas a NSFW message for the fans booing him at theParis Olympics.

Still, Embiid isn’t backing down when it comes to the disapproving fans in Paris.

“I frankly don’t understand why I’ve got a lot of criticism from the crowd,” Embiid told reporters, including PEOPLE, on Friday, Aug. 9, the day after the U.S. men’s basketball team’sthrilling comeback win over Serbia.

The Philadelphia 76ers star defended his decision to join Team USA, saying, “Having lived half my life in the U.S. and the other half in my country Cameroon, it just looked like you could go two ways, and I’ve always said from the beginning — everybody knew that if Cameroon would’ve qualified, that would’ve never been a choice.”

And in a saucy message to the basketball fans in France unhappy with his decision, Embiid said, “I know myself, I’m going to interact and I’m going to enjoy it. They’re going to boo me. I’m going to go back at them and tell ‘em to suck it. And so it’s going to be fun.”

Joel Embiid #11 of Team United States reacts during semifinal game against Serbia.Christina Pahnke - sampics/Getty Images

Christina Pahnke - sampics/Getty Images

“But I think a lot of people wanted it to be because of a storyline and all that stuff, but to me it’s all about doing whatever it takes to win the gold,” he said.

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Joel Embiid #11 of Team United States.RvS.Media/Robert Hradil/Getty Images

RvS.Media/Robert Hradil/Getty Images

The rift between Embiid and French fans stems from a disagreement in negotiations between Embiid and Jean-Pierre Siutat, the president of France Basketball.

Embiid was born in Cameroon and moved to the U.S. at 16. Although he’s never lived in France, he has family that resides in the country and speaks fluent French, according toThe Athletic.

Siutatreportedly claims that Embiid misled himinto pulling strings to get French passports for himself and his young son, Arthur, with the expectation that Embiid would play for Team France. He was granted French citizenship in 2022, but ultimately decided to team up withLeBron JamesandStephen Curryto play for the United States, much to the dismay of French fans.

On Saturday, Aug. 10, Team USA will play France for the gold medal in what’s sure to be an exciting matchup.

source: people.com