France Squad Dispute Erupts Over Betclic Ad Use

France’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup have been disrupted by a developing disagreement between national team players and the French Football Federation over the use of player images in a gambling-related advertising campaign.

The controversy centres on a promotional initiative linked to Betclic, a commercial partner of the federation. French media reports, including L’Équipe, indicate that several France internationals were unaware their images from a national team media session had been used in the campaign.

Among the players featured were Kylian Mbappé, Rayan Cherki, Désiré Doué, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé, with Cherki appearing prominently in the advertisement.

The strongest reaction is understood to have come from Mbappé and Cherki, who reportedly believe the federation did not properly follow an agreement established in September 2023 governing the commercial use of players’ image rights.

Mbappé, in particular, is known for his critical stance on gambling sponsorship in football, having previously spoken about the responsibilities of professional athletes when it comes to promoting betting-related products and their influence on younger audiences.

Players involved in the dispute are said to direct their frustration primarily at the federation, rather than Betclic, arguing that approval procedures were not properly followed before the campaign went live.

Growing Tensions Within the Squad

The disagreement is emerging amid broader underlying tensions between players and federation officials in the lead-up to the tournament. Reports suggest that discussions over World Cup bonuses and allocation of match tickets for families have already created friction behind the scenes.

The advertising issue has further intensified those concerns, with squad members reportedly backing teammates who objected to the use of their images. Despite the internal unease, the group is said to have agreed to avoid public confrontation ahead of the competition.

However, sources suggest the matter may not be fully resolved, with some players potentially prepared to revisit the issue after the tournament concludes.

Echoes of Past World Cup Turmoil

While the current situation has not escalated into open conflict, it has revived memories of previous disputes within French football camps, most notably the internal crisis during the 2010 World Cup.

For now, attention remains on the pitch as France prepares for its final warm-up fixture against Northern Ireland before beginning its World Cup campaign against Senegal on June 16. Group-stage matches against Iraq and Norway will follow.

Despite the off-field tensions, preparations continue, though the situation highlights ongoing sensitivities around commercial partnerships and player image rights within international football.