PSG Dispute FFF Claims Following Barcola’s National Team Withdrawal

Key Takeaways:

• Bradley Barcola was released from the French national squad on Monday due to an alleged chronic right thigh injury, according to the FFF
• Paris Saint-Germain strongly contested the Federation’s official statement, citing contradictory medical information
• The incident marks another chapter in the ongoing tensions between PSG and the French Football Federation this season

Disagreement Over Barcola’s Fitness

A renewed dispute between Paris Saint-Germain and the French Football Federation has emerged after Bradley Barcola’s withdrawal from international duty. The FFF announced that Barcola was released due to a chronic injury to his right thigh, attributed to his participation in PSG’s 4:0 UEFA Champions League victory against Atalanta on 17 September.

Bradley Barcola est arrivé à Clairefontaine avec des radios ! 🩻🇫🇷

L'attaquant du PSG souffrirait 𝗱’𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗲́𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗱𝗲 𝗹'𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗼-𝗷𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗶𝘁 depuis le match contre l'Atalanta. 🤕

(RMC Sport) pic.twitter.com/YmouXjnnYm

— Footballogue (@Footballogue) October 6, 2025

PSG, however, directly challenged this information. In an official response, the club revealed, “was surprised to learn about the press release” issued by the FFF. Further, PSG outlined that “The information published in this press release in no way corresponds to the medical information provided by the medical teams of Paris Saint-Germain,” and detailed their version of events: “Before the team’s assembly and after the 7th round Ligue 1 match against Lille [on October 5], PSG provided the French national team with a medical report on Bradley Barcola, which in no way mentioned a chronic injury after the match with Atalanta.”

Barcola’s Recent Appearances and Medical Reports

Barcola, aged 23, featured in the match in Italy and provided an assist. Despite missing the following fixture against Marseille, he played against Auxerre on 27 September and was named in the starting XI for both the Barcelona clash on 1 October and the recent Ligue 1 encounter with Lille. PSG concluded their statement by emphasising the importance of upholding medical confidentiality for all parties.

Context of Recent PSG – FFF Tensions

This episode adds to a run of disputes between the club and the Federation, following previous issues earlier in the campaign, such as the injuries to Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué, which both occurred during international duty with Les Bleus in September.