France stars Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud at loggerheads just days before first Euro 2020 clash vs Germany
KYLIAN MBAPPE has reportedly rejected an apology from Olivier Giroud as rumours of a rift in the French camp rumble on.
It was initially sparked after the Chelsea striker appeared to hit out at the midfield for not picking out his runs following a win against Bulgaria.
Giroud, 34, scored twice in the final 10 minutes of the contest but remained critical of his side's ability to create chances.
According to RMC, star man Mbappe was furious at the comments and felt singled out by the veteran striker.
The report adds how the Paris Saint-Germain winger demanded he held a press conference to share his side of the story but was turned down by boss Didier Deschamps.
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Giroud then went to apologise for his comments on the training field but Mbappe gave him the cold shoulder.
After the 3-0 victory over Bulgaria, Giroud told L'Equipe du Soir: "I was a little quiet because, sometimes, I make runs and the balls aren’t forthcoming.
"I am not saying that I always make the best runs, but I am seeking to offer solutions in the box."
Boss Deschamps, all too aware of how squad disharmony has hindered France campaigns of yesteryear, tried to diffuse the situation.
He said: "If you received the ball after each time you called for it, it is always the same, the attacker says, 'I am making runs but it’s on the midfield’.
"The midfielders will say that it is on the attackers.
"Sometimes, the pass isn’t forthcoming, sometimes it is down the movement. But this is not a stigmatisation of Kylian or whoever.
"Kylian, I spoke to him at half-time. He knows it very well, Olivier does not have the same profile as Karim."
And midfielder Paul Pogba also attempted to pour cold water on the flames ahead of their opening clash with Germany on Tuesday.
Asked if there was tension in the camp, he told reporters: "No.
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"The only tension here is muscular, legs and joints!
"Honestly, I'm inside [the camp] and there's a good atmosphere. If you're referring to Giroud and Mbappe then there's nothing, but I'm not a police officer.
"The comments have been taken out of context. Mbappe is a generous player who plays for the team, but sometimes I tell him to help the midfield a little more. I don't feel the tension that is spoken about on the outside."
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