France finished fourth at the World Cup, losing 6-4 to England in the third-place match, Didier Deschamps’ last match as coach.
Kylian Mbappé is said to have been involved in a disagreement between the FFF and the French national team. (Image: Eduardo Karmim/Eurasia Sports Images/Getty Images)
Kylian Mbappé has reportedly been linked to rising tensions between the French national team and the French Football Federation (FFF) ahead of the World Cup. Les Bleus entered the tournament as favorites to lift the trophy, but things didn’t go well in the final stages.
They were impressed with their performance which took them to the semi-finals. However, in the final four, they lost 0-2 to eventual champion Spain.
Manager Didier Deschamps announced that he would be stepping down from his role as manager after the World Cup, but his final game was the third-place match against England. After trailing 4-0 at half-time, France almost made an unexpected comeback with a brace from Mbappé to make it 4-3, but England scored two more goals and the Three Lions eventually won 6-4.
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After the match, Deschamps explained the reasons for his decision to resign and hinted at tensions behind the scenes. “I was in control of my departure because I made the decision myself,” he said.
“I thought I had to end it there. And if I made this decision, and I say this with all my heart, it wasn’t for me. It was for the French national team. I’ve never said it before, but to be honest, I didn’t make this decision for myself.”
“Because the atmosphere was so unbearable and the focus was on me, on me. The French national team doesn’t deserve it.”
Reports in France reveal a growing rift between the team and FFF, especially since Philippe Diallo took over as president. RMC claim that support from the federation has waned since Descan was replaced, leading to Zinedine Zidane taking over as his successor.
It added that there had been “several heated exchanges” between the coach and FFF vice president Erwan Le Prevostre. This is said to include travel, family match tickets and bonuses.
Mbappe was reportedly involved in discussions over World Cup bonuses. L’Equipe reports that the team was told shortly before leaving for the competition that they would only receive a bonus if they reached the semi-finals.
Didier Deschamps coached France’s final match. (Image: Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Mbappé is said to have stood up and reminded the president in a heated exchange that although this was his first experience of the tournament, the players understood the importance of each stage of the tournament. The issue is said to have been resolved on Mbappé’s wish on the plane to the United States.
The France captain is also said to have played a role in persuading the federation to install cryotherapy units at training camps. This unit was considered essential to combat the American heat, but was initially rejected for financial reasons. They changed their minds after Mbappe intervened.
As reported by FootMercato, another source of tension is said to be the €120,000 (£102,000) spent on FFF officials’ trips to America, compared to the alleged treatment of the players’ families. The situation is said to have fostered a “feeling of misunderstanding” between the team and the federation.
Diallo also made no mention of Deschamps in his LinkedIn post celebrating his team’s advance to the semi-finals. However, after the defeat against England, he posted a message of gratitude to the manager.
Although it has not yet been confirmed, French legend Zidane is likely to take over from Deschamps as manager. His first game will be in the Nations League, when France will play Turkey, Belgium and Italy in September and early October.
