the puzzle continues for France

The French Football Federation is definitely going through a difficult week. The governing body of French football must manage the fiasco of the elimination of the France A team during Euro 2021. Between the significant financial losses, the future of Didier Deschamps and a group under high tension, Noël Le Graët has his work cut out for him. The president of the FFF also has to face a monumental puzzle concerning the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Indeed, Sylvain Ripoll knows all the difficulties in the world to constitute his list whereas France had not taken part in this test since 1996. One even evoked the possibility of withdrawing. But after twice pushing back his announcement and asking for a waiver in order to be able to call players who were not in the pre-list of 50 names filed in May, the French technician unveiled on June 25 the names of the eighteen players selected to participate in the Olympic tournament organized from July 21 to August 7.

Ripoll struggles to build his list

France will start on July 22 against Mexico before continuing against South Africa (July 25) and Japan (July 28). Alongside young talents such as Camavinga or Gouiri, André-Pierre Gignac, Florian Thauvin and Téji Savanier had been called up. Maxence Prévôt, porter of Sochaux, had been the only reservist. But only a few minutes after his announcement, Oleg Petrov, the vice-president of Monaco, indicated that he would not release a player. Summoned by Ripoll, Benoît Badiashile was therefore retained by his club.

In the process, Julien Fournier, football director of OCG Nice, also closed the door to the participation of Amine Gouiri. Other stables have done the same. Maxence Caqueret (OL), Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes), Jonathan Ikoné (LOSC) or Malang Sarr (Chelsea) were therefore selected. Indeed, clubs are not required to send their players, the competition does not take place during the FIFA calendar. In the midst of a galley, Sylvain Ripoll was able to count on the French Football Federation and its president Noël Le Graët, interviewed last Tuesday.

France is casting a wide net

“Already this year, we did the right thing because we qualified. The difficulty is to find a team because FIFA lets the clubs decide. And this is a mistake. I am going to meet fairly quickly the President of FIFA, whom I like, for this competition which must be considered as another and the clubs must release their players (…) It is always a matter of timing but it is It is essential that the clubs release their players. It is essential that FIFA allows it in the long term … “ Support that must have relieved Sylvain Ripoll, who was able to breathe a little yesterday.

While he was due to give his final list of 22 players (without reservists) on Wednesday, he learned that he had two days from FIFA. He thus has until Friday July 2, that is to say tomorrow, to decide and especially to find men. According to our information, Modibo Sagnan (Real Sociedad, 22) will be present. Other names have come out in the media. Enzo Le Fée (Lorient, 21 years old), Nathanaël Mbuku (Reims, 19 years old), Ismaël Doukouré (VA, 17 years old) and Stefan Bajic (ASSE, 19 years old) could also be on the trip. Florian Ayé (Brescia, 24) was approached according to The Parisian. But his club, a Serie B resident, would have refused. 24 hours from the final list, Ripoll and the FFF are therefore active!