FIFA Women World Cup: Huge Meltdown in French Football, Wendie Renard, Marie-Antoinette Katoto among players to boycott Women's World Cup

FIFA Women World Cup: Players like Wendie Renard, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, and Kadidiatou Diani have declined to play in Australia and New Zealand. These three talented players would normally have been expected to play for France this summer in the Women’s World Cup. However, their absence from the team was announced just five months prior to the tournament. Subsequently, their decision to withdraw from the team led to doubts being raised about the French Football Federation and head coach Corinne Diacre, ultimately resulting in her dismissal on March 9th. Follow FIFA Women’s World Cup LIVE on Insidesport.IN

Merci pour votre soutien et le respect de ma décision. 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/MOryINwvb0

— Wendie Renard (@WRenard) February 24, 2023

Which France players won’t play at the Women’s World Cup 2023?

Renard, an eight-time European champion with Lyon, was the first to announce that she would not play at this summer’s World Cup.

“I have defended the blue, white, and red shirt 142 times with passion, respect, commitment, and professionalism,” she wrote on social media. “I love France more than anything else, I am not perfect, far from it, but I can no longer support the current system which is far from the requirements of the highest level.

“It is a sad day but necessary to preserve my mental health. It is with a heavy heart that I come to inform you of my decision to step back from the French team. I will unfortunately not be playing in this World Cup in such conditions.

“My face may hide the pain but my heart is suffering… and I don’t want to suffer anymore. Thank you for your support and for respecting my decision.”

Diani and Katoto, two of the best forwards in world football, followed.

✊🏾✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/cU3nqAndH0

— Griedge Mbock (@MGriedge) February 25, 2023

FIFA Women World Cup: Huge Meltdown in French Football, Wendie Renard, Marie-Antoinette Katoto among players to boycott Women’s World Cup – Check why?

Although Katoto and Renard have not explicitly accused anyone of causing their decision to withdraw from selection, there is currently no news of any specific incident prompting their departure. Nonetheless, comments from Bouhaddi suggest that there may have been underlying unrest for some time.

For instance, Renard lost the captaincy in 2017, despite winning the league title, the Champions League, and being named to the FIFPRO World XI that year. Diacre had claimed that her performance level was inadequate. Renard mentioned in her book, Mon Etoile, that she had experienced the coach’s “rejection and brutality.”

FIFA Women's World Cup: France's best players refuse to represent their country in 2023 WC, Here's Why

Despite the various challenges, Diacre managed to hold on to her position. The issues at hand are not limited to the coach, however. Paris FC’s veteran midfielder, Gaetane Thiney, revealed in an interview with So Foot magazine in 2021 that the 2015 Women’s World Cup “completely broke her,” raising concerns about the federation as a whole.

Noel Le Graet, who has been the president of the FFF since 2011, has reportedly been a staunch supporter of Diacre during her time as head coach. However, he recently faced allegations of sexual harassment and stepped down from his position on February 28, 2023. He denies the allegations.

What does this mean for France’s World Cup Campaign?

So far, Renard, Katoto, and Diani have not publicly commented on Diacre’s dismissal. Nevertheless, RMC Sport reported that Renard would only play for France if Diacre was not in charge, which could imply that all three players might be willing to return to the squad.

If this were to happen, it would significantly boost Les Bleues’ chances of having a successful World Cup campaign. It may also create an opportunity for Bouhaddi and Henry to make a comeback to the national team.

However, the incoming head coach will have a brief time window to prepare for the World Cup. France has only one more international window in April before the World Cup squad is announced.

Gerard Precheur, the head coach of PSG, and Herve Renard, the manager of Saudi Arabia’s men’s national team, have been linked to the job.