Mbappe again not in France squad for Nations League games

BerlincTypeface:> Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe was not named to the France squad for the upcoming Nations League games. "I’ve talked to him and reached this decision, it’s better like that,” coach Didier Deschamps said on Thuesday. France face Israel on November 14 and Italy three days later. Mbappé had already been an absence in the previous international break in October, despite being fit and active for Real Madrid after recovering from a thigh injury. However, the player preferred to stay in Madrid training. Last month, Mbappé was linked by media reports to a rape case in Sweden. The player has denied any connection to the case and called the reports "fake news.” Mbappé’s lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, told TF1 that the French footballer "knows he has absoluely nothing to reproach himself for.” Deschamps, meanwhile, said Mbappé wanted to join the national team and his absence has nothing to do with "off-pitch problems.” (dpa)