Euro 2016: I am booed by fans because of Benzema – Giroud
Giroud was jeered by sections of the French fans despite scoring in Monday’s victory over Cameroon in an international friendly.
Benzema was left out of the France squad after being questioned by police last November in connection with an alleged blackmail attempt against international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena, over a sex tape.
Despite scoring an impressive volley in Monday night’s 3-2 victory over Cameroon, Giroud who has also been criticized by Arsenal fans this season after going 15 matches without a goal was jeered by sections of his own supporters.
And the Arsenal man believes the criticism aimed at him is due to Benzema not being selected by Deschamps. When asked whether Benzema’s omission had triggered the fan’s ire, Giroud who has also backed Deschamps in making his decision not to select Benzema answered:
“Yes, we must not pretend that it isn’t. I am… we are with Dede (Andre-Pierre Gignac) those who will be targeted.”
“You know that I have gone through stages in my career that have been quite complicated, so these things don’t hurt me much, but it is true that it is a shame,” said Giroud.
“Being French, playing in France, if we miss a chance we want the fans to encourage us.
“They are also there for that. Especially as I scored a goal with my only shot. So I do not understand it much but what was important was that we won, and that I continue that personal run of scoring.” Giroud is quoted as saying on the Independent.
It could be recalled that the 29-year old was jeered when he missed a number of chances during the match against Serbia last September.
Meanwhile, Benzema has spoken this week to hit out at France head coach Didier Deschamps, while he also made controversial remarks regarding the manager’s selection policy in claiming he is “bowing to racist pressure” for not selecting any players of North African origin in his original squad.
Post a Comment