Deschamps: “I will never forget what Benzema said”

France coach Didier Deschamps talked to RTL and discussed the controversy around striker Karim Benzema, who hasn’t played a single minute for his country after the Valbuena blackmail scandal. Benzema has often talked about the situation and went as far as saying that Deschamps had “folded to the pressure of the racism from a part of French society.”

The coach was asked about these quotes and explained what went through his mind when he read them.

“It left a mark. Even if you can forget it a little when time passes, I can’t. It’s not only about Karim Benzema, we’re also talking about quotes from other people who took it very far, affecting my family. We can talk about these issues when it involves a decision by the coach because of tactics or skills, it’s normal and it doesn’t matter. But here, they crossed the line, it affected my name and my family and for me this was unacceptable. We can’t forget, I can’t forget and I never will,” said Deschamps.

It’s been more than five years since Benzema last appeared for the French national team and the controversy isn’t that big anymore. It’s now clear that the striker will never play for his country.