‘It’s a non-topic’ – FFF president plays down Kylian Mbappé’s France absence | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappé’s (26) withdrawal from the France squad after the nation secured qualification thanks to a win over Ukraine last Thursday was immediately called into question. The Real Madrid forward was instrumental in the 4-0 win but then did not even travel for the dead rubber against Azerbaijan on Sunday (3-1). Instead, an FFF communiqué stated, he would return to Real Madrid for tests on an inflamed ankle. 

Only he didn’t return to the Spanish Capital and nor did he undergo tests. Instead, he went to the United Arab Emirates. An account called Drikcfootball showed Mbappé at a padel club on Saturday morning, in Dubai. It is unclear whether Mbappé practiced the sport. In any case, L’Équipe understands that he spent several days in the Middle East, whilst the publication adds that he did not undergo any tests on the ankle. Despite pulling out from the France squad with what was always thought to be “diplomatic injury”, he is expected to play against Elche this weekend.

Diallo denounces Mbappé ‘bullying’

FFF president Philippe Diallo has sought to downplay the incident, stating that the medical staff acted on “a principle of precaution”. He added, “After that, it is up to Real Madrid to do further tests and see with him. It is no longer a question for the France national team.”

Speaking to L’Équipe, he added, “We saw that Didier Deschamps changed, I think for the first time, his entire starting XI from the match before. So even if Mbappé had been there, he may not even have started the match, and he may not even have come on, so for me, it is a non-topic.”

Diallo added that he “supported” the France captain who, “not for the first time, is the subject of a form of bullying about his private life”. The FFF president concluded: “No one is above the France national team; the France national team is above everything.”

GFFN | Luke Entwistle