France manager Didier Deschamps had to turn down a request from First Lady Brigette Macron to call up a Reims player to the national team – due to him being Japanese.
Deschamps and Macron had attended an event at the Reims University Hospital last week.
The event was held as part of a Yellow Pieces Operation, a foundation which funds projects to support sick children and teenagers.
Deschamps was quizzed at the event about whether Reims players could feature in the French national team.
‘I don’t have any players in Reims, but I look at the team like all the other French and foreign clubs,’ Deschamps said, as per Champagne FM. ‘It’s very good what’s happening here.’
French First Lady Brigitte Macron provoked laughter from national boss Didier Deschamps
Macron had reportedly suggested he call up Reims winger Junya Ito to the national team
Deschamps reportedly laughed at the suggestion before pointing out that Ito is Japanese
Macron then made the surprise suggestion of Reims winger Junya Ito to the French national boss.
‘There is a Japanese man who plays very well in Reims. He is very good,’ Macron said.
‘We must select him from the Didier team, why don’t you take it?’
Deschamps reportedly responded by bursting out laughing, saying ‘Well, because he’s Japanese.’
Ito has scored two goals and four assists in 17 games for Reims so far this season, helping Will Still’s side move five points off Champion League qualification.
The winger is currently with the Japananese national team at the Asia Cup, where they have advanced to the last-16.
Ito has scored 13 goals in 54 games for Japan.