RB Leipzig star is in trouble: Played in a friendly after rejecting French call-up
Jean-Kevin Augustin turned down a call-up to the French Under-21 national team because of fatigue. Yet, he played in a friendly for RB Leipzig yesterday - and that could have consequences.
RB Leipzig star Jean-Kevin Augustin could be in trouble. The striker recently rejected a call-up for the French Under-21 national team because of fatigue, but yesterday, he played 45 minutes for 'Die Roten Bullen' in a friendly against Zaglebie Lubin.
That could have unpleasant consequences for Augustin. According to FIFA rules, any club is obliged to release a player if he is called up for international games by the association he represents.
One of the exceptions to the rule is injury, but after Augustin's appearance yesterday, his reason for turning down the call-up for the Under-21 games against Bulgaria and Luxembourg can be questioned.
Augustin's rejection sparked controversy even before the striker's appearance in the friendly yesterday.
"This is not acceptable excuses, and they do not match the spirit I want to see in the team," French Under-21 coach Sylvain Ripoll recently said at a press conference, adding that he "only wants to work with those who want to be here".
Meanwhile, RB Leipzig sporting director and head coach Ralf Rangnick has supported his player.
"We stand fully behind Jean Kevin's decision to reject the games with the French Under-21 team," Rangnick told German media a few days ago and added:
"If a player feels tired and prone to injury after the many games we've had this season and makes that decision, that's perfectly understandable and reasonable."
Regardless of which consequences Augustin will now face, it's safe to say that the incident hasn't boosted his chances of playing for 'Les Bleus' in the future.