Amandine Henry left off France’s Euro team amid coach dispute
(Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
Olympique Lyonnais defensive midfielder Amandine Henry has been left off the France national team for this summer’s European Women’s Championship.
The Euro squad was announced Monday. Lyon’s Eugenie Le Sommer – the all-time top scorer for France – has also been left off.
Henry was captain of the team during the 2019 World Cup, but a number of disagreements between Henry and France head coach Corinne Diacre became public after the tournament, which has led to the souring of their relationship.
“I saw players crying in their rooms,” Henry said of the World Cup. “I personally cried in my room sometimes. I wanted to enjoy the World Cup, but in the end, it was total chaos.”
Diacre has said that the decision to leave Henry off the squad was based on performance. The midfielder has hit back at the coach’s claim, saying the decision was due to her being outspoken. Just last week, Henry opened the scoring in the Champions League final to help lift Lyon over Barcelona 3-1.
Henry also said she “shocked” not to be included on the qualifying team for the tournament. The qualifying rounds started in 2019.
“The call lasted 14 or 15 seconds. I will remember it for the rest of my life,” said Henry. “I was shocked. She said, ‘Amandine, you know my list comes out tomorrow. You won’t be on it in light of your recent performances.’ I was silent for two seconds. And then I said, ‘Okay. Have a good game. Goodbye.”
The tournament begins on July 6, with many of the games already sold out.
The full squad:
Goalkeepers: Mylene Chavas (Bordeaux), Justine Lerond (Metz), Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (Juventus Turin).
Defenders: Selma Bacha (Lyon), Hawa Cissoko (West Ham), Sakina Karchaoui (Paris Saint-Germain), Griedge Mbock (Lyon), Eve Perisset (Bordeaux), Wendie Renard (Lyon), Marion Torrent (Montpellier), Aïssatou Tounkara (Atletico de Madrid).
Midfielders: Charlotte Bilbault (Bordeaux), Kenza Dali (Everton), Grace Geyoro (Paris Saint-Germain), Ella Palis (Bordeaux), Sandie Toletti (Levante).
Forwards: Sandy Baltimore (Paris Saint-Germain), Delphine Cascarino (Lyon), Kadidiatou Diani (Paris Saint-Germain), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (Paris Saint-Germain) , Melvine Malard (Lyon), Clara Matéo (Paris FC), Ouleymata Sarr (Paris FC).
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