Called up by head coach Didier Deschamps for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Barcola reported to Clairefontaine before pulling out due to what the FFF described as “a chronic injury to his right hamstring” dating back to PSG’s Champions League clash with Atalanta. PSG strongly disputed this version, insisting the injury is unrelated and criticising the FFF’s communication. According to L’Équipe club officials had already raised concerns after an MRI on the morning of his call-up and were angered by what they viewed as misleading information.
“Paris Saint-Germain was surprised to learn of the press release issued by the French Football Federation on Monday 6 October regarding Bradley Barcola’s state of health,” PSG’s official statement read. “The information published in this press release does not correspond in any way to the medical information provided by the Paris Saint-Germain medical teams. Before the gathering and following the match on Matchday 7 of Ligue 1 against Lille, Paris Saint-Germain sent the French team a medical report on Bradley Barcola that in no way indicated a chronic injury after the match against Atalanta.”
Rothen was infuriated by the Federation’s decision to break medical confidentiality, saying on RMC Sport: “What I blame the Federation for is this statement on Bradley Barcola’s injury.
“When you have a problem with your club, you come and have it noted at Clairefontaine. Once you have it noted that you cannot play, you go home. Today, we go into details. The medical staff in the French national team has been the same for years. Remember how they communicated about [Karim] Benzema’s injury before the 2022 World Cup? They make statements as it suits them.
“It’s completely underhanded. We’re talking about a chronic problem. It’s not very cool to say that. It implies he played injured. If he has a little discomfort, no problem. There’s also medical confidentiality. For all the injuries noted at Clairefontaine, there has never been a statement like this. This is a minor settling of scores compared to the last rally. This bullsh*t will never stop.
“The French team doctor, Franck Le Gall, forgot something. In the past, you had relationships with the people who work in the clubs. It’s good to have a fairly fluid and transparent discourse. They no longer speak to each other. These statements are putting PSG, but especially Barcola, in difficulty.”
This latest dispute further strains the already tense relationship between PSG and the FFF, reviving frustrations that date back to September. At the time, tensions flared over the handling of Dembele and Doue, both of whom sustained injuries during a match against Ukraine. The FFF’s recent statement regarding Barcola’s condition has only deepened the rift, with PSG viewing it as a fresh misstep in a series of miscommunications. The situation has now escalated to a level that risks seriously damaging cooperation between the club and the national team setup.
Without Dembele, Doue and now Barcola out injured, the onus will be on the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise to ensure Les Bleus remain potent in attack. Florian Thauvin has been named Barcola’s injury replacement, while the likes of Maghnes Akliouche, Hugo Ekitike and Jean-Philippe Mateta could also get playing time. Deschamps’ men will face Azerbaijan on Friday before an away trip to Iceland next Monday.
