News

Mbappe defends legend Zidane amid disrespectful FFF boss comments

January 9, 2023 12:09 PM


Twitter Share Facebook Share WhatsApp Share

Kylian Mbappe on Sunday blasted as "disrespectful" comments made by the head of the French football federation (FFF) concerning former international Zinedine Zidane with the PSG superstar describing his fellow World Cup winner as a "legend".

"Zinedine Zidane, I wouldn't even have taken his call on the phone," FFF president Noel Le Graet quipped dismissively in an interview on French radio when asked whether Zidane had called him to express an interest in taking over as coach from Didier Deschamps.

Deschamps' contract expired after the World Cup in Qatar where reigning champions France lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout after a thrilling final on December 18.

However, Deschamps on Saturday signed a new deal until the 2026 World Cup.

Asked whether Zidane, who won the 1998 World Cup as a player alongside Deschamps and was a runner-up in 2006, had called him in recent days, Le Graet dismissed the former Real Madrid coach as having been a potential candidate.

"I wouldn't even have taken his call," Le Graet said. "To tell him what? 'Hello sir, don't worry, look for another club, I just agreed a contract with Didier'."

However, Mbappe, who won the 2018 World Cup with France and was runner-up in Qatar, took exception to Le Graet's tone.

"Zidane is France, we don't disrespect the legend like that...," the Paris Saint-Germain forward wrote on Twitter.

FFF boss Le Graet, 81, also responded curtly to reports of Zidane's interest in coaching the Brazil team.

"I would be surprised if he left for there," he said.

"He does what he wants, it does not concern me. I have never met him and we have never considered parting with Didier Deschamps.

"He can go where he wants, to a club, he would have as many as he wants in Europe, a big club. A national side, I hardly believe this as far as I'm concerned."

Zidane left Real Madrid last year having won two La Liga titles and three consecutive Champions League titles as manager of the Spanish club.

French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera later on Sunday demanded an apology from Le Graet for his comments which she said showed "a shameful lack of respect".



Most Read

  1. Punjab governor appoints Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Aziz as PPSC Chairman Punjab governor appoints Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Aziz as PPSC Chairman
  2. Reason behind Shruti Haasan and Santanu Hazarika's separation after 4 years Reason behind Shruti Haasan and Santanu Hazarika's separation after 4 years
  3. Life is too short for leaks, Yashma Gill’s latest video ignites criticism Life is too short for leaks, Yashma Gill’s latest video ignites criticism
  4. Parineeti Chopra's husband Raghav Chadha undergoes ‘dangerous’ eye surgery in UK Parineeti Chopra's husband Raghav Chadha undergoes ‘dangerous’ eye surgery in UK
  5. Are Aftab Iqbal and Kapil Sharma coming together? Are Aftab Iqbal and Kapil Sharma coming together?
  6. I wasn't meant to be here, Mahira Khan's response to viral moment with Arijit Singh I wasn't meant to be here, Mahira Khan's response to viral moment with Arijit Singh

Opinion

  1. PM Shehbaz Sharif, WEF and Pakistan
    PM Shehbaz Sharif, WEF and Pakistan

    By Naveed Aman Khan

  2. Employing global best practices in Pakistan-Saudi ties
    Employing global best practices in Pakistan-Saudi ties

    By Nasim Zehra

  3. PML-N smashed PTI in by-polls
    PML-N smashed PTI in by-polls

    By News Desk

  4. Riding the Digital Wave: How Technology is Rewriting the Script of Economic Prosperity
    Riding the Digital Wave: How Technology is Rewriting the Script of Economic Prosperity

    By News Desk

  5. Tax on solar energy: Govt's misplaced priorities favour powerful stakeholders over people welfare  
    Tax on solar energy: Govt's misplaced priorities favour powerful stakeholders over people welfare  

    By Manzoor Qadir

  6. Legacy of Indian military subjugation in Kashmir
    Legacy of Indian military subjugation in Kashmir

    By Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai