Deschamps Responds to PSG Criticism Following Dembele adn Doue Injuries
France manager Didier deschamps has defended the national team’s medical handling of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) players Ousmane Dembele and Warren Zaïre-Emery, following criticism from the club regarding recent injuries sustained during international duty.
Dembele was substituted off in the 80th minute of Friday’s 3-1 victory over Ukraine after coming on as a half-time replacement for Zaïre-Emery, who started the match but was replaced at the break.
PSG released a statement on Sunday expressing thier concern and calling for a “more transparent and collaborative” medical coordination protocol between clubs and the French Football Federation (FFF). The club stated thay had provided the FFF with medical information detailing the workload its players could bear and the risk of injury before the national team’s training session, but felt these recommendations were not heeded, and consultation with PSG’s medical teams was lacking. PSG described the incidents as “serious and avoidable.”
Deschamps addressed the situation, stating, “This concerns two PSG players, but PSG are not our opponent.I’ve been on the other side of that fence myself. Our only opponent is Iceland, and that’s tomorrow.”
Both Dembele and Zaïre-Emery played notable roles in PSG’s successful 2023-24 season, which saw the club win the Champions League, Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Trophee des Champions, and also reaching the final of the Club World Cup. Dembele has played 66 games for club and country since the start of the 2024-25 season in August 2024, while Zaïre-Emery has played 69.
The mounting concerns over player workload have prompted calls for action beyond the dispute between PSG and the FFF. The National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) issued a statement on Sunday requesting government intervention to address the congested fixture schedule.
UNFP president David terrier emphasized the need for “new rules, new regulations, and a different process” to protect players, particularly with the upcoming World Cup and the certain increase in injuries due to accumulated matches. The UNFP statement criticized FIFA for refusing “genuine social dialog” and disregarding player health.
The issue of player workload was a key topic leading up to the 2025 Club World Cup,with FIFA previously highlighting rest period measures implemented after a meeting in New York as evidence of addressing these concerns.
The Athletic has reached out to the FFF and FIFA for comment.
