Didier Deschamps criticises fans after Adrien Rabiot jeered during France win over Iceland

Didier Deschamps criticised France supporters for jeering midfielder Adrien Rabiot after the player was introduced late in Tuesday's World Cup qualifying win over Iceland at the Parc des Princes.

France held on for a 2-1 victory despite being reduced to 10 men following Aurélien Tchouaméni's dismissal, and Deschamps said the treatment Rabiot received from sections of the home crowd was "unacceptable." The manager was also jeered by fans before kick-off.

Rabiot was introduced with about 14 minutes remaining as France tried to see out the lead, but was met with loud jeers whenever he touched the ball. Deschamps defended the player in his post-match remarks, saying Rabiot is "a French national team player" and that no player "should have to go through this." He added that the midfielder had made an important defensive play late in the match.

"It's unacceptable," Deschamps said. "He's a French national team player, he wears this jersey. When he's at his club, it's none of my business. Adrien is solid enough, he turned them around on the last play [with a defensive tackle]. It's not happening. No player should have to go through this - it's the French national team, he's French, like all players. It must not happen, it's unacceptable."

The boos at the Parc des Princes continued a difficult period for Rabiot, who has split with two French clubs in recent seasons and joined AC Milan from Marseille this year. Earlier in the season he and Marseille team-mate Jonothan Rowe were involved in a confrontation that the club described as "extremely violent," prompting both players to be exiled from the squad and told to find new clubs. Rabiot has made one appearance for Milan since completing the transfer and reunited with his former Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri.

Rabiot's relationship with Paris Saint-Germain also ended acrimoniously when he left the club in 2019 after seven years. His mother and agent, Véronique Rabiot, has publicly criticised PSG in the past, and the family brought legal action earlier this year alleging the club failed to prevent abusive banners and insults at the Parc des Princes on prior visits.

The atmosphere was strained even before the match, with some supporters directing jeers at Deschamps amid frustrations over injuries to forwards Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué sustained in the France squad's 2-0 win over Ukraine last Friday. Deschamps has in recent years faced intermittent dissent from sections of supporters at major fixtures.

France will now turn to the remainder of their qualifying programme with Deschamps underlined as defender of his players. The coach's remarks come as the national side manages selection and squad issues while aiming to secure a place at next year's World Cup.