Didier Deschamps Addresses PSG Tensions Amidst Dembélé and Doué Injury Concerns

Key Takeaways:

• Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué sustained injuries during France’s World Cup qualifying match against Ukraine
• Paris Saint-Germain expressed dissatisfaction, alleging injury warnings were ignored
• Didier Deschamps insisted there is no conflict between the French FA and PSG ahead of France’s fixture against Iceland

Injury Setbacks Impact World Cup Qualification Campaign

France’s preparations for their upcoming World Cup qualifier have been overshadowed by the absence of Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué, both of whom were forced out due to injuries picked up during the 2-0 win over Ukraine. Dembélé suffered a hamstring strain while Doué sustained a calf injury, ruling both players out of the next encounter.

PSG Unhappy with Handling of Player Fitness

The management at Paris Saint-Germain reacted with frustration following news of their players’ injuries. The Champions League holders criticised the French football federation, suggesting warnings regarding the risk of injuries had been disregarded, and contended that the injuries to Dembélé and Doué could have been avoided.

🚨🤬 𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗦𝗚 𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗨𝗫 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗦 𝗘𝗧 𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗙𝗙 𝗣𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗟𝗔 𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘́𝗟𝗘́ !!! 🤯

Tensions à venir entre le PSG et l’équipe de France. 🥶🥶

Etant donné son état de fatigue, 𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀… pic.twitter.com/1kIwM5Bq4R

— BeFootball (@_BeFootball) September 5, 2025

Deschamps Denies Rift Between Club and Federation

Head coach Didier Deschamps, speaking ahead of the fixture against Iceland, moved to dispel notions of animosity between the national team set-up and PSG. He maintained that player health and opinions are always prioritised within his squad selections and preparations. As quoted by Reuters: “I’m sorry for the injuries to Ousmane and Désiré because we lost two important players for tomorrow’s match. We do our work in a professional and progressive way, as we always have with all players. We always take their opinions into account.”

Deschamps further clarified the relationship between the national federation and Paris Saint-Germain, reiterating, “This concerns two Paris Saint-Germain players, but that club is not our opponent. It never has been and never will be. I have been on the other side and I know this. Our real opponent is Iceland, and we will play them tomorrow.”