Kadidiatou Diani criticized the French national team after she was one of three players to suspend their international careers in protest against coach Corinne Diacre.
As previously reported, Diani, France captain Wendie Renard and Marie-Antoinette Katoto have all stepped away from international soccer just four months before the 2023 World Cup.
The trio are unhappy with the current setup under Diacre, although a statement from the French Football Federation insisted that “no individual is above the Equipe de France institution.”
Diani, who plays club football for Paris Saint-Germain, has now said Telefoot: ‘The FFF must make changes. We raised a cry of alarm. We express our feelings.
“I think they will study our case and take all this seriously to move our team forward.
Kadidiatou Diani (L) criticized the ‘lack of professionalism’ in the France setup after she and two teammates, including Marie-Antoinette Katoto (C), suspended their international careers.
Captain Wendie Renard has suspended her international career and said she will not play in the World Cup
“I think we have reached a point of no return. So here for me, if we want to talk about a break up, then I’ll talk about a break up. I think it’s important to have something new because girls just can’t take it anymore.’
He added that there is a “lack of professionalism” in the team and criticized their “small” number of personnel, revealing that there are no assistants or attacking coaches.
Diani added: ‘I think we lack professionalism in the France team. Today, we find ourselves with a rather small staff. It is the coach who decides on her squad.
“We don’t have a second coach, no specific ‘attacking’ coach, I’m talking about that because I’m an attacker and it’s true that sometimes I’d like to work in front of goal.
“At first, you had to be injured to qualify for a massage or treatment session like you’d get at a club.”
Renard was the first to make her decision public, issuing a statement saying she would not play in the World Cup this summer.
“I have defended the blue, white and red jersey 142 times with passion, respect, commitment and professionalism,” Renard 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 that is far from the highest level requirements. It is a sad but necessary day to preserve my mental health.
Renard fell out with manager Corinne Diacre and the trio are not happy with the team’s setup.
“It is with a heavy heart that I come to inform you of my decision to step back from the French team. Unfortunately, I will not play this World Cup in such conditions.
‘My face can hide the pain but my heart is suffering… and I don’t want to suffer anymore. Thank you for her support and for respecting my decision.’
Renard has made 142 caps for her country and has been one of the biggest stars in women’s football for the past decade.
But the Lyon defender has had a rocky relationship with coach Corinne Diacre since he took over in 2017.
Diacre’s first act was to strip Renard of the captaincy, claiming that he did not play as well for France as he did for Lyon. But in 2021, Diacre reinstated Renard as captain.
Diani says French players have ‘reached a point of no return’ and the FFF ‘must make changes’
Other players have fallen out with Diacre over the years, and goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi decided to ‘retire indefinitely’ in 2019. Amandie Henry, who captained between Renard’s two stints, also fell out with Diacre and missed the Euros. last summer as a result.
Following Renard’s shock announcement, Paris Saint-Germain players Diani and Katoto released similar statements on Friday night.
Diani’s statement read: “Following the statement from our captain Wendie Renard and in light of recent results and the management of the French team, I announce that I am suspending my international obligations to concentrate on my career at the club.”
I am the first fan of the French team and if the necessary changes are finally made, I will return to the service of the French team.