photograph shared on Facebook French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo allegedly shows an issue ridiculing a Ukrainian fencer for refusing to shake hands with his Russian opponent.

Verdict: False

The photos are digitally processed. No such cover can be found on the publication’s website.

Fact check:

Ukrainian fencer Olga Karlan was disqualified from the world championships in Milan for refusing to shake hands with Russian athlete Anna Smirnova after a bout. NPR. Karlan, a four-time Olympic medalist, called for a change to the rule requiring athletes to shake hands. Reuters report.

A Facebook post claims that Charlie Hebdo posted a cover page mocking the Ukrainian fencer over the exchange. The photo, believed to be the cover of a Charlie Hebdo magazine, shows an unsightly depiction of Harlan wielding a fencing sword as Smirnova reaches out.

The cover reads, “My son pays for my son,” which means “the true pride of my country.”

However, the photos are digitally processed. In the bottom right corner, an image shows his issue 1619, which he claims was published on August 2, 2023. The original issue of his 1619, published that day, can be seen in the Charlie Hebdo newspaper. website. “Dalmanin met the police union!” This illustration shows French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin and the French Police Union.

The alleged cover title “La vraie fierte de Son pays” does not appear in the magazine’s search results. website. (Related: No, the French magazine didn’t put Volodymyr Zelensky on the cover of the Titan Submarine)

“We confirm that this so-called Charlie Hebdo front page is fake,” a Charlie Hebdo spokesperson confirmed in an email to Check Your Fact. “This ridiculous and pathetic cartoon has nothing to do with us.”