“I don’t want to get into an argument that leads to interpretations. I can’t tell you more,” the coach only explained at a press conference at the headquarters of the French Football Federation (FFF) in Paris. “‘I take responsibility for this decision. It’s my decision because I think it’s better that way. I understand that that’s not enough for you. I had several discussions with him, I thought about it and I made this decision, because I think it’s better this way”
This then took on a whole new dimension after the revelations in the Swedish press about the opening of a rape investigation which, according to the daily newspapers Aftonbladet and Expressen, would target him after a trip to Stockholm. The Swedish police and courts have still not indicated whether Mbappé was indeed the subject of a rape complaint.
“Extra-sporting problems do not come into play” in Deschamps’ decision “from the moment when the presumption of innocence exists and must exist”, clarified the coach.
Rabiot, for his part, had not been selected since the Euro. Kanté, also back, had missed the last two meetings of the Blues due to injury just like Dayot Upamecano. Aurélien Tchouaméni, injured in the left ankle, is out.
The other highlight of the list concerns the arrival of Chevalier who has collected good performances in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
France currently occupies 2nd place in group A2 with 9 points, five more than Belgium, 3rd. The Blues will qualify for the quarter-finals if they do not lose against Israel on November 14.
