Nearly a year later, Deschamps faced questions from the commission regarding the disruptions within sports federations and, in particular, his management of the Karim Benzema case during the 2022 World Cup.

To recap, Karim Benzema had to withdraw from the competition just three days before the French national team’s debut in the tournament. However, he had returned to training in mid-December, leading to various speculations about his departure from the squad.

Several months later, in March 2023, Benzema responded sharply to Deschamps, who had revisited his withdrawal. “But what audacity,” the former Lyon striker had reacted on his social media platforms, clearly unimpressed by the French national team manager’s explanation.

“I have no need to invent stories,” Deschamps emphasised during his testimony before the National Assembly’s commission of inquiry. “My choices are based on sporting decisions. I’m willing to delve into the details, but I’m not sure if this is the place to revisit the events that took place in Doha during the World Cup. I have spoken about it, and you have quoted some of my statements. Yes, in every situation, there is only one truth, but there are multiple versions. I won’t provide you with additional information to confirm that what I said is the truth. But it’s factual.”

He continued, “I said what happened. The situation unfolded exactly as I described it. If you want more details, I can provide you with text message exchanges. However, I don’t believe it will advance matters. For your information, if you are unaware, I am currently involved in legal proceedings against a journalist who dared to make certain claims. The legal process is underway, and the verdict will be rendered by the justice system. I have no need to invent stories. Whom will you believe between what you read or hear and what actually occurred? I’m not here to entertain. I’m stating what happened. With an ongoing legal procedure, I cannot provide detailed information.”

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Gattuso spoke to the media ahead of OM’s match against Lille at the Véldorome. The italian revealed that he had a lengthy conversation with Grosso in a video call the day after the incident. Gattuso stated, “I’m really sorry for him, but I would have been sorry for anyone. I’m truly saddened by how things unfolded.” 

Gattuso mentioned that Grosso’s injury could have been far more severe, “With Fabio, we talked about the luck he had. Just a few centimeters away, he could have lost an eye.”

“I didn’t talk much to him after the match.  I’m really sad about the way things happened. (…) None of the supporters should feel represented by those who threw stones. It was supposed to be a celebration, so we didn’t take it well.”

Marseille’s Ligue 1 fixture against Lyon will now be reportedly played on 6th December, but with details on the venue and the presence of supporters yet to be laid out.

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“I think that if I were coach of the Spanish team, I’d select Warren every time,” Luis Enrique began on Thursday ahead of PSG’s 11th Ligue 1 clash of the season. “But I’m not the French or Spanish coach, so I can’t give the opinion of the French coach. But everyone can see what’s going on.”

“I didn’t discover him, Christophe Galtier did. A player with that profile… I saw him play last year, I saw him play down the flank. I see him playing well everywhere, wherever you put him,” enthused the Spanish coach. “He is exemplary and incredible and I can only thank him for what he does and I thank PSG for providing us with players of this quality. Warren is an example for all players who want to be professionals.”

Zaïre-Emery’s inexorable rise has been a positive boost for PSG at the start of the season. The Montreuil-born midfielder has been a nailed-on starter for Les Parisiens, and is reportedly set to be called up for the first time to Didier Deschamps’ France national team. 

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Just over three years after being bought by RedBird, Toulouse could change ownership once again. A feasibility study has reportedly been launched by RedBird, according to unnamed sources close to the firm.

Chairman Damien Comolli has regularly referred to the “long-term commitment” of the American ownership, but several of RedBird’s associates (including owner Gerry Cardinale) had resigned from the board of directors to allow Les Violets to participate in European competition.

RedBird capital partners are also owners of Serie A side AC Milan, recent opponents of PSG in the Champions League (3-0).

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 A former manager of Red Bull Salzburg, Olympiakos, and Celta Vigo, Garcia was sacked as Reims manager in October 2022 with the club sitting in 15th place. His assistant, Will Still, took the reins and guided the Champagne club to a historic unbeaten run, including two draws against French Champions Paris Saint-Germain. 

Garcia’s sacking also came in the context of the deteriorating illness of his daughter, who tragically passed away only a month following his departure. During his time as manager he made several visits to Catalonia to support and visit his daughter, after the latest of which he was informed he was going to be sacked as Reims manager after winning only one game at that stage of the 2022-2023 season.

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The hamstring issue means that the former Porto man will miss several of PSG’s upcoming matches against Montpellier this weekend, followed by Milan in the UEFA Champions League next week, and the following Ligue 1 clash against Stade de Reims.

A potential return against AS Monaco on the 24th November could be on the cards, depending on the speed of Danilo’s recovery.

PSG will thus be a defender down when facing Montpellier on Friday evening (21:00 CET), but should be buoyed by the return of Marquinhos to the squad. Meanwhile, the communiqué confirms that Keylor Navas will be rested due to lower back pain against Montpellier, and that Nuno Mendes and Presnel Kimpembe are still following their respective recoveries from injury.

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L’Équipe report that Grosso has been given 30-day medical leave following the attack he suffered on OL’s team bus before Lyon were due to face Marseille on Sunday evening. The Italian and his assistant Raffaele Longo sustained injuries to their faces after a group of hooded Marseille fans shattered the glass of the bus where the pair were sitting.

Lyon’s fan buses were also attacked en route to Le Choc des Olympiques, and the game was subsequently postponed just minutes before the scheduled kick-off time. One conviction has already been handed to a Marseille ultra, who was apprehended carrying a cache of 28 smoke grenades. 

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The accused appeared before a judge and readily pleaded guilty to charges brought against him. Consequently, he has been slapped with a fine and an 18-month stadium ban.

Lyon’s team bus was attacked on the way to the Véldrome on Sunday night. Fabio Grosso was injured in the incident. According to OL owner John Textor, the Italian manager was struck by a beer bottle after projectiles had smashed the glass of the team bus.

Lyon’s fan buses were also attacked en route to Le Choc des Olympiques, and the game was subsequently postponed just minutes before the scheduled kick-off time.

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New deal for Restes, Toulouse’s revelation this season

Following this rise in status for the young goalkeeper, Toulouse’s management have decided to negotiate a new deal for Restes – having signed professionally for the club in 2021. Les Violets expect the 18-year-old to sign an improved contract in the coming days which will run until 2028. 

Restes broke through after Maxime Dupé (28) left the club to join Anderlecht in Belgium in the summer. The youngster, who rose through Toulouse’s youth ranks, has kept two shutouts so far this season, conceding 13 goals in 900 minutes.

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It was reported that the former Liverpool and PSG defender was set to be dismissed following a preliminary meeting on the matter, signalling the end of his time at Montpellier. However, now the defender has re-joined training and will continue to fulfil the last year of his contract at the club. 

Ser Zakarian previously spoke about the matter during a press conference, saying that the matter was a “a minor incident”. L’Équipe reported last week that the Sakho took De Zakarian by the collar and executed a “sweeping tackle” on the Armenian-born manager during a training session, after the coach told the former Crystal Palace defender that he was a “cry-baby”.

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