Zacharie Boucher omitted from Madagascar squad over 2018 comments | OneFootball

First called up for Madagascar’s late September camp, Troyes goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher will not take part after remarks he made in 2018 came to light.

The federation announced in a statement on Saturday that head coach Corentin Martins had been informed of public comments attributed to the player from an interview given several years earlier, at a time when he did not know he was eligible for Madagascar.

Under contract at Troyes but yet to appear on a teamsheet this season, the 34-year-old will therefore not debut for the Barea.

Born in Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, Boucher came through Le Havre and has played for Toulouse, Auxerre, Angers, Aris Salonique and Bastia.

In an interview in October 2018, he stressed he was French, not Malagasy, said he would refuse any call-up, and believed he was not administratively eligible, pointing to his French passport. He has represented France from Under-16s to Under-21s and could play for La Réunion. He also underlined his attachment to the France shirt and said he had no intention of playing the Africa Cup of Nations with any team.

Source: L'Équipe

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