Didier Deschamps warns Jules Kounde it was wrong to play in his gold chain against Poland
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I thought he had taken it off. It’s our fault, our mistake’: Didier Deschamps warns Jules Kounde he was wrong to play with his gold chain after the France defender had to remove it during Poland’s World Cup round of 16 loss
Didier Deschamps told Jules Kounde he was wrong to play with his gold chain against Poland, no matter if he was trying to make a political statement with the rainbow logo.
“Players do not have the right to wear necklaces,” the France coach said. You can not play with sunglasses, watch or chain, it is not allowed. I thought he had taken it off. It is our fault, our mistake.
Play was halted when Kounde removed her jewelry and long-lens cameras noticed the gold chain emblazoned with different colored letters, prompting the theory that it could be a rainbow protest.
The French defender Jules Kounde has been warned by the national selector Didier Deschamps
Play was stopped in France’s win over Poland on Sunday when Kounde had to remove his chain.
“I don’t know what he was wearing, but he’s superstitious and he wears it in training,” Deschamps said. “I told him, ‘You’re lucky, I would have asked you to take it off too.'”
France found less trouble with the game itself, taking the first half lead through Olivier Giroud, making him his country’s top scorer, ahead of Thierry Henry.
“It’s a childhood dream,” Giroud said. Now my obsession is to go as far as possible with this team. The adventure continues.
The defender from France and Barcelona played in a gold chain that was finally eliminated
Kounde (left) was forced to remove his gold necklace and Deschamps questioned his player for wearing the jewel.
Kylian Mbappe added two in the second half, making him the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.
“The only goal for me is to win the World Cup,” said Mbappé. “I came here to win the World Cup, not the Golden Boot. If I win it, I’ll be happy, but that’s not what I’m here for.”
Deschamps praised Giroud’s record. “He has always been an important player,” said the France coach.
Deschamps oversaw France’s safe passage to the round of 16 of the World Cup
France will face England (left) in the World Cup quarterfinals after both teams posted victories on Sunday.
“It’s a tough record to break and there’s a guy next to me who could break it one day.”
This was a nod to Mbappé, who picked up the man of the match award.
“Kylian didn’t have his best game,” Deschamps said, “but he can change a game at a time.”