Real Madrid accused of “outdated approach” to 2024 Olympic Games amid Kylian Mbappé debate

France coach Didier Deschamps spoke to the press ahead of 2018 World Cup winners’ March friendlies against Germany and Chile, and was asked about Real Madrid’s refusal to allow their players to play in the Olympic Games, which he described as “outdated”. The topic has come into focus recently given Kylian Mbappé's much-rumoured move to Spain and apparent desire to be involved in the 2024 Games in Paris.

France coach Deschamps: “Businesspeople” decide who plays in the Olympics

“Really, you should ask (Olympics team manager) Thierry Henry that. Real Madrid’s stance on the Olympic Games is a bit outdated. But businesspeople are the ones who decide. If it’s not on an official FIFA date, if they say ‘no,’ the answer is ‘no,” Deschamps admitted.

As reported by French newspaper L’Équipe last week, Real Madrid sent an email to the French Football Federation (FFF) in which it notified them of their refusal to release first-team players for the 2024 Olympics, which will be held in Paris. As Deschamps stated, Los Blancos highlighted they were under no obligation to allow the likes of Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga and, potentially, Mbappé, to feature.

Mbappé's lack of game time with PSG

The France boss also discussed Mbappé's recent lack of game time, although the national team captain did play 90 minutes and score a hat-trick for PSG in the 6-2 win over Montpellier on Sunday.

“The question of game time applies to Kylian and everyone else. Freshness is important. Everyone will join up with us with different levels of tiredness. Yesterday, he played the entire game. It is not my decision, it is Luis Enrique’s.

“They have games every three days. Between playing too much and not playing at all, with one game after another, tiredness starts to accumulate. Even Kylian isn’t immune to that.”