Tokyo 2020: PSG to deny Mbappe and Neymar Olympic call-ups
- World Cup winner is eligible for under-23 tournament but clubs under no obligation to release players for Olympics
- Mbappe expected to play for France at Euro 2020, while Neymar likely to feature for Brazil at Copa America in the summer
French Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain will refuse to allow star strikers Kylian Mbappe and Neymar to play in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics football tournament this summer, according to a report in L’Equipe.
World Cup winner Mbappe was named in Sylvain Ripoll’s provisional 80-man France squad on Tuesday, but the French football newspaper reported that PSG had written to the French Football Federation of their intention to not release the 21-year-old.
Clubs are under no obligation to release players as the Olympic football, which is contested by under-23s with three overage players, is not a Fifa tournament.
France, who won gold at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, are returning to the men’s football for the first time since Atlanta ’96 – Mbappe and the other age eligible players were not yet born then.
The French champions did allow Neymar to play at the Rio 2016 Games, where he scored the winning penalty as the hosts finally won their first Olympic gold.
However, it has been reported that Neymar will not be released this summer, despite the Brazilian FA writing to his club to ask for permission.
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Neymar is expected to play with holders Brazil at the Copa America which takes place in Argentina and Colombia from June 12-July 12.
Likewise, Mbappe will be expected to play for France in Euro 2020, which takes place across Europe over the same dates.
The striker had spoken of his desire to play in the Olympics last year when he was in Japan.
“The people here are very welcoming, very friendly, I really want to come back as soon as possible,” he said. “Why not next year for the Olympic Games? I always said it was a dream. Then again, it’s not only up to me.”
The FFF president, Noel Le Graet, explained their stance on Mbappe to L’Equipe last month.
“He wants to. Our coach is very keen. I would rather have him at the Olympics, especially for the image. He’s a boy who’s already at the top of his game. But I put myself in the place of PSG.
“They may not really want him to do all the competitions. But I don’t think they would object. In terms of image, it would be complicated for them. And for us, complicated not to select him.”
He reiterated the stance to reporters at the Uefa council meeting on Tuesday.
“I think it’s nice that a kid of that age, who already has all the offers in the world, should say ‘I want to go to the Olympics.’ But is it compatible with his other football commitments? That is a different question.
“PSG are entitled to come and discuss the matter, but I would prefer it if a boy like him said ‘yes, I want to go’ than ‘I couldn’t care less.'”
The Olympic football tournament is set to take place from July 22 to August 8, while the French league is set to start on August 7.
