France’s national football coach, Didier Deschamps, has addressed recent allegations concerning the team’s captain, Kylian Mbappe, which have generated significant attention.
The controversy surrounds a report from a Swedish newspaper suggesting that Mbappe is being investigated for rape.
Deschamps emphasized that such news brings unwanted negativity to the French team, especially during a crucial time for the squad.
Following France’s 2-1 victory against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League, Deschamps spoke to reporters and shared his thoughts on the situation.
He acknowledged that media outlets are free to publish whatever they choose, but pointed out that negative reports can create a damaging atmosphere around the team.
He stated, “Everyone is free to write what they want but there is a negative atmosphere” around the French team.
The allegations against Mbappe surfaced just days before France’s game against Israel, where the star player was notably absent as he focused on his fitness. Despite his absence from the match, attention quickly shifted to the serious accusations.
According to the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, a rape was reported to the police, though the publication did not specify who was involved. Later, another Swedish newspaper, Expressen, named the 25-year-old Mbappe as a suspect in the case.
The French striker, who currently plays for Real Madrid, has vehemently denied the accusations, dismissing the claims as “fake news.” Deschamps seemed skeptical of the reports as well, advising caution when dealing with such serious allegations.
He urged the media to verify facts before releasing information to the public. “Be careful when you pick things up,” Deschamps cautioned. He added that these kinds of stories can spread easily and often without sufficient evidence to support them.
Deschamps made it clear that he does not plan to discuss the issue with Mbappe, expressing confidence in his player’s ability to handle the situation. “In any case, I am not going to talk to him about it. He is big enough to know how to communicate,” he concluded.
