Unexpected elimination triggers recriminations in Team France

The reigning world champions are packing their bags after an unexpected collapse in their eighth-final match against Switzerland and are out of the tournament. Some Les Bleus players are not happy about this and have started looking for the culprits.

France, one of the tournament favourites, crashed out after failing to beat a resilient Switzerland in the eighth round. Kylian Mbappé missed a penalty at the crucial moment, causing one of the biggest surprises of this year’s Euros so far.

After France were eliminated, there was first a row in the stands when Rabiot’s mother, who is also his agent, took on family members of other players.

She criticised the way Paul Pogba played in the match and told Mbappé’s father that he should re-educate him to be less arrogant. At the same time, she added that for a player of his level, it was embarrassing the way he took the penalty kick and she hoped he would be reprimanded.

Mourinho also rushed in with his criticism of France, failing to understand the players celebrating as if the match was already over. That ultimately proved fatal for them.

There were also disagreements on the pitch after the game. Rabiot criticised Pogba’s defensive work. The same did not go down well with Varane, who took aim at his fellow defender Pavard, who in turn blamed Pogba because in his opinion he did not defend at all.

Coach Didier Deschamps refused to put the blame on Mbappé. “Nobody can be angry with him. It can happen when you decide to take responsibility. It’s obvious that it hit him,” he said after being sent off.

“There is unity and solidarity in this team. I’m responsible when things go wrong. I stand behind them and they stand behind me,” he added on his future with the team.

SportBible