France Coach Didier Deschamps defended the treatment of his staff of Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue’s fitness after both Parisian St. Germain players were injured in international duty, after criticism from European champions.
«It is sad for Ousmane and for desire, of course, because of their injuries, and we lose two important players for tomorrow’s game,» Deschamps told reporters on Monday.
«But we have done things in a professional and progressive way, as we always do with all players, taking into account their own feelings.»
PSG reacted angry after Dembele had sustained a hamstring problem and Doue injured his calf during the 2-0 victory over Ukraine in the world cup, accused the French football federation (FFF) of ignoring medical warnings and describing the injuries as «serious and avoidable».
The Ligue 1 champion said it had submitted medical information before the training camp started and called for a more transparent protocol with the FFF to protect players in the future.
Deschamps pushed back against suggestions from conflict between club and country. «This is two PSG players,» he said. «But PSG are not our opponent – clubs have never been there. I have been on the other side of that fence. Our only opponent is Iceland, and that’s tomorrow.»
Dembele is expected to be put aside for about six weeks, while Doue will be over four weeks. Both will miss PSG’s Champions League opener against Atalanta later this month.
Published on September 8, 2025
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