The news surprised even the closest ranks of Corinne Deacon. But it is very real: on Tuesday, February 8, the coach of the French national team called Kheira Hamraoui for the French Tournament from February 16 to 22, the last big rehearsal before the July Euro in England. An amazing announcement as the extra-sporting context of recent months has weighed on the daily life of the midfielder and her teammates at PSG. So why is Deacon making this choice? He is primarily a sportsman.
On October 14, while she is still playing in Paris, the Northerner is called up two and a half years following her last selection, in April 2019. “I hope she can bring her experience to the French team and we will be attentive to her life outside the group. We need everyone to get along well,” Corinne Deacon explained at the time. Unfortunately for Hamraoui, she will be injured on October 18 and will be forfeited for the October rally. However, it is well understood in Deacon’s words that the sporting reintegration of the 32-year-old player requires social reintegration.
Les Bleues have found a balance in 2021 and the relationship between Hamraoui and some of the group’s executives, dating in particular from his time in Lyon (2016-2018), raises questions. But following three winning seasons at Barca and a successful return to PSG, Corinne Diacre accepts the principle of a new chance. Also thanks to the unique profile of Kheira Hamraoui in midfield, between his height (1.78 m) and his game.
“The interest is the national team. Kheira is performing”
In November, Hamraoui should have been on the Deacon’s list. But the assault suffered on the 4th of the same month left significant physical and psychological scars. She will not return to the training grounds with PSG until a month later, on December 7. Meanwhile, the police investigation is not progressing and the mood among the French women in the Paris dressing room varies between distrust and anger towards Hamraoui, accused of having cast suspicion on her teammate Aminata Diallo, who came out of police custody without charge.
The weather is having its effect and the situation has calmed down somewhat in Paris, where staff and players want to move on. The role of captain Grace Geyoro, also a member of the Blues, was important. In addition to Kheira Hamraoui, five Parisiennes are summoned by Deacon (Karchaoui, Geyoro, Diani, Baltimore and Katoto). Asked regarding the cohesion of her group on Tuesday morning, the coach said: “The interest is the national team. Kheira is a surname. History is in the private domain. It’s none of my business and no one’s business. It should be remembered that Kheira is a victim in history. »
The last stage, which led to the recall of the midfielder, was on January 29. Present in the stands during PSG’s historic 3-0 win over OL in the Coupe de France, she was able to observe Hamraoui up close. “She has an impressive athletic ability, an interesting long game, especially once morest our future opponents,” Deacon said. Enough to bring Hamraoui closer to the Euro, scheduled for July 6 to 31.
