It wouldn't be a major tournament without some drama from the French camp and, though we had to wait for it, it appears EURO 2020 has delivered on that front.
The world champions exited the competition at the last 16 stage, after a shock defeat to Switzerland. The game finished 3-3, with France losing on penalties.
Drama in the French camp during Swiss game
Now, RMC Sport are reporting that there were multiple bust ups on pitch between the French players, including Manchester United's Paul Pogba. Juventus' Adrien Rabiot is said to have called out Pogba on his defensive efforts, with an unpleasant exchange of words between the players.
During the game vs Switzerland, ugly scenes for France (EDS):
- Rabiot & Pogba insulted each other - Rabiot unhappy with Pogba's defensive efforts
- Varane insulted Pavard, unhappy with his defending
- Pavard blamed Pogba, for doing no defending, Varane later backed Pavard up— Get French Football News (@GFFN) June 29, 2021
The on-pitch histrionics didn't end there. Real Madrid centre back Raphael Varane and Bayern Munich right back Benjamin Pavard were reportedly at each other's throats as the game progressed, with Varane supposedly unhappy with the Bayern man's defensive efforts.
Pavard's poor performance could perhaps be excused, as France unexpectedly changed formation for the game and he found himself playing at right wing-back rather than at his familiar right-back. Nonetheless, the suggestion that Varane "insulted" Pavard does not suggest that the two were on great terms during the game.
In a bizarre turn of events, however, Varane was reported to have taken Pavard's side when the Bayern player criticised Paul Pogba at full-time. Pavard was reportedly unhappy with Pogba's defensive play, especially after he crucially gave the ball away for Switzerland's equaliser.
Full-time: #FRA 3-3 #SUI
Switzerland have done it in injury time! Gavranovic forces extra-time with a low shot into the corner.#FRASUI #EURO2020 #RTEsoccer
📱 Live updates - https://t.co/nps0i8ySdt
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/bZMmmPDnlU pic.twitter.com/Btt2GPjaOv— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 28, 2021
The drama in the French camp didn't end there, though - it extended to the families of Pogba and Rabiot in the stands, as well as the family of superstar Kylian Mbappé.
Mbappé had a largely disappointing tournament. The favourite for the Ballon d'Or went in to the tournament as the hottest property in world football, but left Bucharest on Monday night without a goal to his name during his time at the Euros.
As though that wasn't enough, French football journalist Julien Laurens made some incredible claims about the drama in the stands. He suggested that Rabiot's mother had instructed Mbappé's father to criticise his son's supposed arrogance after his poor performance.
The clashes in the stands last night during the Switzerland game, between Veronique Rabiot (Adrien’s mum) and the Pogba and Mbappé families is something else! Her telling Mbappé’s dad to tell off his son because he is too arrogant has to be right up there in terms of clashes!!
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) June 29, 2021
It was unfortunate, given his poor performances, that Mbappé was the one to miss the decisive penalty against Switzerland in Monday's shootout. The PSG striker was in disconsolate form walking off the pitch - but there was yet more drama in the stands, as his father was again told off by Rabiot's mother.
This time, Veronique Rabiot suggested that Mbappé Senior should "scold" his son for missing the penalty. Multiple sources are reporting that the altercations involving Rabiot's mother lasted for upwards of 20 minutes, with Paul Pogba's family rumoured to have also been involved.
For what it is worth, Rabiot, Mbappé, and Pogba all posted on their social media pages in manners that did not begin to hint at any discontent within the French camp.
The drama within the French squad may not have reached 2010 levels at the Euros, but it's nice to know that they're still committed to maintaining their somewhat chaotic image on the biggest stage.
The reaction from the French press has not been a pleasant one, and the vultures appear to be circling manager Didier Deschamps. Whether the camp will stay united in the buildup to the 2022 World Cup remains to be seen.
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