France (National Football)

After an executive for KFC France threatened legal action against Kylian Mbappé and the French Football Federation, the company released a statement countering those comments.

"KFC France regrets the words that were spoken yesterday and reported in the media this morning. These are personal opinions, but in no way reflect the position of the company," it said in a statement to Reuters.

Mbappé, one of France's biggest stars, refused to participate in a team photo shoot because he didn't want to endorse some products that had contracts with the national team, including fast food chains and betting companies.

Vice president of KFC France Alain Beral indicated the decision could be considered a breach of contract.

"We have paid for something clear. If necessary, we will assert our rights," Beral said.

The company has since distanced itself from these comments.

"KFC France also wishes to clarify that Alain Beral did not speak on behalf of the company, but in the context of a private conversation during an event related to his functions as president of the National Basketball League," the statement said.

The France Football Federation has also announced it could alter its policy after Mbappé complained about its "refusal to change the image rights agreement with the players."

"The FFF has undertaken to revise, as soon as possible, the agreement on image rights that binds it to its national team players," the organization said in a statement.

France will need Mbappé in order to compete for another FIFA Men's World Cup title this year after he helped bring home the 2018 trophy with four goals in seven matches.

The 23-year-old should be in France's lineup as it hosts Austria on Thursday in Nations League action.

The following article contains descriptions of sexual abuse.

Former Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra revealed in his new book that he was sexually abused at the age of 13 while staying at the home of his head teacher.

Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror provided an excerpt from the book, I Love This Game, Friday:

The head teacher, believing I'd gone to sleep, would put his hands under my bed cover and try to touch me. I knew what he was doing was wrong, so I tried to push him away and punch him.

I was tough, but I was scared too, although I couldn't show him my fear. This could go on for 10 or 15 minutes, like a fight. He wasn't joking; he was going hard trying to get my pants off. There were no words spoken in the dark, but he was touching himself and getting sexually excited by what was happening.

I didn't tell anybody. I was too ashamed to speak to my mother and I didn't know if anyone else would believe me. I haven’t told anybody the full story until now.

On the last night at that man's house, when he knew that I was going back to my family, he finally succeeded: He put my penis in his mouth.

The head teacher is similar to a principal in United States schools.

Evra, who also starred for the French national team during his playing time, told Alyson Rudd of The Times he didn't shed full light on the abuse when he first wrote the book, but he decided to expand on his experience to help children who find themselves in a similar situation.

"So I just want to make sure kids out there have the courage and do not blame themselves, because I always blamed myself," Evra said. "I'm not shy to say I felt like a coward for many years because I never speak up. It was something heavy in my chest. But I don't do it for me, I do it for other children."

The 40-year-old retired footballer noted he was contacted by police 16 years ago about abuse allegations brought against the teacher, but he didn't feel comfortable confirming his own story at that time.

Evra, who won five Premier League titles with Manchester United, also spent time with Juventus, Monaco and several other European clubs during a 20-year playing career.

Since his retirement in 2019, the former Red Devils standout confirmed he's spent time back at United working to complete his coaching badges.

The French national team announced star forward Kylian Mbappe tested positive for COVID-19 Monday and has been isolated from the rest of the squad.

He will miss Tuesday's match against Croatia as part of the UEFA Nations League.

The Paris Saint-Germain player was the only goalscorer for France in the 1-0 victory over Sweden Saturday.

PSG has now seen several of its players test positive for the coronavirus, including Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes.

France's Paul Pogba and Steve Mandanda have also contracted COVID-19.

The Ligue 1 season began last month, but Paris Saint-Germain got a longer break after competing in the Champions League final, resulting in a loss to Bayern Munich. The club is scheduled to face Marseille next Sunday but will likely be shorthanded.

Mbappe led PSG last season with 18 goals, adding five assists in a Ligue 1 season that was ended early due to the pandemic.

The 21-year-old burst onto the scene as a teenager and became a household name at the 2018 World Cup when he helped France win the title, earning the Best Young Player Award. He has been a key part of his club's success as well, leading Paris Saint-Germain to three straight league championships.

Both the club and national team must figure out how to replace Mbappe's production until he is able to return to the pitch.

Manchester United star Paul Pogba has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and removed from the France national team squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Sweden and Croatia.

According to ESPN, France manager Didier Deschamps announced the news Thursday: "Paul Pogba was initially on the list but unfortunately for him, he underwent a test yesterday which turned out to be positive this morning."

France's match against Sweden is scheduled for Sept. 5, and their clash with Croatia is set for Sept. 8.

Pogba also figures to miss the start of Manchester United's preseason training, which begins Sept. 2. The Red Devils' first match of the season is scheduled for Sept. 19 against Crystal Palace.

The 27-year-old is about to enter his fifth season with United after returning to Manchester from Juventus in 2016. Pogba enjoyed a career year in 2018-19 with 13 goals in 35 EPL matches, but he was limited to 16 matches last season and scored only once.

An ankle injury that required surgery was the main reason for Pogba missing time and being far less effective than usual last season.

Pogba has shown throughout his career that he is among the most talented players in the world when healthy, especially on the international stage.

He was named as the Best Young Player at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and helped France win the World Cup four years later, in which he scored a goal in the final against Croatia.

France's depth will be tested without Pogba in the lineup for the UEFA Nations League matches, and the same can be said for Manchester United if Pogba isn't back in time for the start of the 2020-21 EPL season.

Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe has been selected in a preliminary 80-man squad for France's squad at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics this summer. 

Teams in the Olympic men's football event are made up of under-23 players with three over-age players allowed. Mbappe, 21, can be selected without taking up one of those senior slots.

Per Goal, French Football Federation President Noel Le Graet said: "He's old enough to go. Like all young people of his age who have talent, he is therefore on the list."

The list will be whittled down to 50 players and later the final squad heading to Japan.

The men's tournament will run from July 23 to August 8. Le Graet suggested PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and other club chiefs are not best pleased at the prospect of their star players heading to the Games.

"Club presidents, in general, find that the dates [of the Olympic tournament] are not good," he said. "I saw Nasser. I asked him how was Mbappe. He said to me, 'very good.'"

The 2020-21 Ligue 1 season will begin on August 7, so not only would the Olympics disrupt Mbappe's pre-season preparations with PSG, he'd also miss the start of the campaign.

A player of Mbappe's calibre will be the first name on Les Bleus' teamsheet, though, particularly because his age means he can be selected among the youth players.

The forward has already developed into one of the most prolific goalscorers in European football:

This season, he has 27 goals and 17 assists in all competitions. Overall, he's found the net 87 times for PSG since he arrived in 2017, as well as providing 49 assists, in just 118 appearances.

With France's senior side he has contributed 13 goals and 10 assists in 34 games, helping Les Bleus win the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics are still set to proceed as planned this year despite concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.

On Monday, the organisers told ABC News they "have never discussed cancelling the Games."

However, long-serving International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound told Stephen Wade of the Associated Press in February that they may need to make a decision on whether to proceed with the Games in May.

France manager Didier Deschamps has agreed a contract extension until 2022, meaning he will lead the team at the next FIFA World Cup.

The French Football Federation posted the news on its Twitter account:

Per BBC Sport, upon confirming the news, French football president Noel Le Graet called the new deal a "logical decision." As relayed in the report, Le Graet previously said that if France qualified for the 2020 UEFA European Championship, Deschamps' deal would be extended.

Deschamps, who won the World Cup with France as captain in 1998, made history as a coach 20 years on when he steered the team to the same title as a manager.

The French team were the standout outfit in the tournament in Russia, and their competition eventually culminated with a thrilling 4-2 win in the final against Croatia: 

Although Deschamps has previously been accused of adopting a negative style as manager, he's been able to bring the best out of some excellent players in the final third. Antoine Griezmann has formed a fine partnership up top with Olivier Giroud, while Kylian Mbappe has frequently thrilled from a wide berth.

In defence, he's utilised the talents of Raphael Varane to great effect, while the likes of N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi present Deschamps with a surfeit of midfield options.

Per the Euro 2020 Twitter account, Deschamps will now be seeking a double-double when it comes to major championships: 

Given they are now a team full of bona fide winners, France will be one of the favourites for glory at the competition next summer.

If the team were to suffer a poor tournament, that may bring Deschamps' position into question, even with this contract in mind. However, France have been so consistent and so effective in big games under his tenure that it'll take a force of a football team to oust them in pursuit of the title in 2020.

France beat Albania 2-0 on Sunday to seal top spot in Group I in their final UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier.

Didier Deschamps' side went into the game with qualification already assured and took the lead on eight minutes when Corentin Tolisso nodded home Antoine Griezmann's lofted ball into the penalty area.  

The Barcelona forward then doubled the visitors' lead just after the half-hour mark, making a late run into the box and tapping home Leo Dubois' low cross in from the left.

The world champions had chances to extend their lead after the break. Olivier Giroud was twice denied by goalkeeper Etrit Berisha and also hit the post as the world champions signed off with a win.

Manager Didier Deschamps took charge of France for the 100th time and made changes to his team as expected. Striker Kylian Mbappe and midfielder N'Golo Kante were the biggest names to drop out, with Wissam Ben Yedder, Benjamin Mendy and Dubois all coming into the starting XI:

Yet it was Albania who created the first chance of the game inside two minutes. A throw-in into the box caused danger and goalkeeeper Steve Mandanda allowed the ball to bounce before claiming ahead of striker Bekim Balaj.

France wasted little time in taking the lead. A foul on Mendy outside the box saw Griezmann swing the ball into the penalty area for Tolisso to head past goalkeeper Berisha, as shown by Sky Sports Football (UK only):

Opta noted how it was Griezmann's seventh assist of the qualifying campaign:

Griezmann then doubled France's lead on 31 minutes. Dubois did well to find space in the penalty area and cross for the Barcelona forward to send a first-time finish low into the bottom corner:

France should have had a third before half-time. Defender Clement Lenglet powered a Griezmann header over the bar when well-placed and under little pressure.

Albania went close to pulling one back at the start of the second half. Elseid Hysaj fired in a low cross for Berat Djimsiti to poke wide on the stretch from close range.

Griezmann and Giroud then combined for a shooting chance at the other end. The Chelsea striker managed to get his effort on target, but Berisha parried the ball to safety.

Albania needed Berisha to save again from Giroud with an hour played, this time on the half-volley. The striker then went agonisingly close again with a curling effort that hit the inside of the post and bounced to safety.

France could not conjure up another goal but were good value for the three points that ensure they finish in top spot, two points clear of Turkey.

Karim Benzema and French Football Federation President Noel Le Graet have clashed over the forward's international future, with the former asking for his release so he can play for another team.

Benzema hasn't played for France since 2015, and Le Graet told RMC Sport he should not expect another opportunity with Les Bleus (h/t Goal's Chris Burton): "For me, Benzema is a very good player. I have never criticised his qualities. On the contrary, he is proving again this year at Madrid that he is one of the best players in his position. But the adventure with France is over."

Those comments prompted a response from the 31-year-old on social media:

Per Burton, the tweet said: "Noel, I thought that you did not interfere with the decisions of the national team coach! Know that it will be me and me alone who decides when my international career is over. If you think that I am finished, let me play for a country that I am eligible to play for and we will see."

Benzema collected 81 caps for France between 2007 and 2015. He is of Algerian descent, but having played extensively for Les Bleus, he's not eligible to play for another nation. Marca's Pablo Polo outlined the scenario in which that would change, involving a change of passport and citizenship initiated by France.

Per La Liga Lowdown, Benzema fell out of favour with the national team because of a sex-tape controversy involving Mathieu Valbuena:

Benzema has been among the most consistent forwards in football over the last decade and finished the 2018-19 La Liga campaign with 21 goals. He's already up to nine this season and on pace for his best tally for Los Blancos.

As a versatile, mobile and hard-working striker, he has an ideal profile for international football. He was a prolific member of the team whenever called on, scoring 27 goals for Les Bleus.

France have done just fine without him, however, winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, they have two world-class forwards who are more than capable of carrying the scoring load.

Les Bleus have already qualified for UEFA Euro 2020 and lead Group H with one match left to play. They are set to face Albania on Sunday.

Albania host France in UEFA 2020 European Championship qualifying on Sunday at the Air Albania Stadium.

France have already qualified for Euro 2020, and they will finish top of Group H of they win their final match.

The hosts cannot progress but have performed admirably in qualifying, recording four wins.

Date: Sunday, Nov. 17

Time: 8:45 p.m. local, 7:45 p.m. GMT, 2:45 p.m. ET

TV: Sky Sports Football (UK), TUDN (U.S.)

Stream: Sky Go, ESPN+, Univision NOW

Odds: Albania 9-1, France 1-3, draw 4-1 (via Oddschecker)

Preview

Pride will be at stake in Tirana when the world champions arrive for their last qualifying match.

The Eagles have impressed during their campaign, but they didn't do enough to catch Turkey and Iceland in the standings.

Les Bleus are likely to rotate their starting options in what is essentially a dead rubber, increasing the chances of an Albania win. However, they will still need to be careful, as a defeat coupled with a Turkey win over Andorra would see them finish second and affect their seeding for the draw for the finals.

Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi was called up by Didier Deschamps for a second time after impressing in the Premier League.

The 20-year-old has improved over the past 12 months despite the Gunners' struggles, and he appears set to make his debut for the world champions.

Even with wholesale changes, France will have a superior starting XI on Sunday, and Albania will need to be at their best if they want to capture three points.

Edoardo Reja's men have either been convincing or off the pace in their qualifiers, and they were beaten 4-1 during the corresponding match in Paris. However, 16 goals in qualifying has proved their pedigree in the final third.

Deschamps' fringe players will view the encounter as an opportunity to impress their coach and make his squad for the finals. Albania have lost six of their eight games against France in their history. They will have to buck the trend if they want to finish on a high note and stop France collecting an eighth victory in qualifying.