Foot Africa
·6 October 2025
One Player, Two Different Stories: PSG and French FA in Public Spat Over an Injury

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Yahoo sportsFoot Africa
·6 October 2025
Paris Saint Germain disputes FFF statement claiming chronic injury to young forward
One Player, Two Different Stories: PSG and French FA in Bizarre Public Spat Over an Injury
Tensions have escalated once again between Paris Saint Germain & the French Football Federation FFF following new controversy surrounding Bradley Barcola’s injury and his withdrawal from the national team camp.
The FFF announced that Barcola had been replaced by Florian Thauvin for France’s World cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan (October 10) & Iceland (October 13) claiming the PSG forward suffers from chronic thigh issue dating back to the Champions league match vs Atalanta (4-0 on 17 Sep).
However PSG hit back strongly expressing surprise at the federation’s statement and rejecting the medical description.
"The information published doesn't correspond at all to the medical data shared by our staff" emphasizing "the need to respect medical confidentiality for the benefit of all parties" the club said.
According to the club, its medical report (sent to the FFF before the international break) made no mention of chronic injury, only standard post match muscle fatigue.
PSG urged for better coordination between medical teams to avoid future misunderstandings.
Barcola reportedly missed the Classique against Marseille due to thigh discomfort but later played hour against Lille without signs of pain.
This latest spat follows similar episode last month involving Ousmane Dembele & Desire Doue when PSG criticized France’s handling of both players fitness.
In addition Senny Mayulu withdrew from France's U21 squad due to separate muscle issue further straining relations between the club & national setup.
As result, 2018 World cup winner Florian Thauvin (32) has been called up .. his first national appearance since June 2019.
France led by Didier Deschamps will be without several attacking stars including Dembele, Doue and Marcus Thuram while Kylian Mbappe continues treatment for ankle problem sustained with Real Madrid.