PSG seek 'corrective measures' after Dembele, Doue injured on France duty

PARIS - Paris St Germain said France's medical staff ignored their recommendations on injury risks and acceptable workload for the club's players, after Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue suffered injuries during Friday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

Forward Dembele faces about six weeks on the sidelines with an injured left hamstring while winger Doue will be out for around four weeks due to a calf problem after they picked up the injuries during a 2-0 win over Ukraine in Poland.

European champions PSG said on Sunday that they had called for a "more transparent and collaborative medical-sporting coordination protocol between clubs and the national team" in a letter to the French Football Federation.

"(PSG) had sent the federation concrete medical information, even before the French national team began training, on the acceptable workload and injury risks for its players," the club said in a statement.

"The club regrets that these medical recommendations were not taken into account by the French national team's medical staff and that there was a total lack of consultation with its medical teams."

PSG said exchanges between clubs and France's medical staff should be documented and a "precautionary principle" should be followed when selecting players for national duty, particularly when they are undergoing treatment for a medical condition.

"The recent serious and avoidable events must give rise to rapid and immediate corrective measures," they added.

France coach Didier Deschamps defended his decision to field Dembele on Friday, saying the forward was fit despite being substituted during a Ligue 1 game at Toulouse on August 30 following a right hamstring issue.

"I was sure that he was capable of playing a high level match, otherwise I would not have played him. This time, it's the other thigh," Deschamps said. "He was fit. It is unfortunate for him but could have happened to another player."

France's players' union (UNFP) has criticised world governing body FIFA over what it called a reckless international calendar that is putting players' health at risk, saying Dembele and Doue were among several to suffer injuries during this week's World Cup qualifiers.

"We are calling on the State to intervene since it is impossible, despite numerous communications, actions, and complaints, to make FIFA see reason," David Terrier, president of the French players' union said in a statement.

"On the basis of genuine dialogue, which it refuses to establish and implement, FIFA ignores the health of players and continues with its international calendar, a source of repeated excesses that are growing.

"These excesses not only disrupt the organisation and financing of domestic and European football but also undermine the preparation of national teams."

In July, the UNFP lodged a complaint with the European Committee of Social Rights, arguing that the French state must intervene to protect professional players' rights to adequate rest and reasonable working hours. REUTERS