France boss Didier Deschamps has said that Adrien Rabiot has made "a huge mistake" in asking to be taken off the standby list for his country's 2018 World Cup squad.
Rabiot was overlooked for Deschamps's 23-man squad for this summer's World Cup, but the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder was included on the standby list.
The 23-year-old made a request to be taken off the list of reserves, however, and Deschamps has admitted that he was "surprised" to learn of Rabiot's stance ahead of the competition.
"It was not a letter sent, it was an email that arrived Monday late afternoon. I became aware of its content. Of course, Adrien signed it," Deschamps told reporters.
"I called him to have a confirmation that it was he who had sent this email. He did not answer me. I got confirmation from my manager. In the process, I warned my president of the content. I also warned the president of PSG because he is a PSG player.
"I was surprised of course. I can understand the disappointment, the immense disappointment, but to take such a position... we are talking about a young player who for a while was in the French group. He excludes himself from the team.
"I dare to hope that through some decisions like this it will allow him to mature, to reflect. I am convinced that he made a huge mistake in taking such a position. He refuses his status as a reservist, to follow a program, and if there was a problem of being called as a substitute. It is his decision he assumes."
Rabiot, who has appeared six times for the French national team, scored five times in 49 appearances for PSG during the 2017-18 campaign.
Matt Law
