The French Football Federation (FFF) has promised to review the image rights agreement with international footballers, thus easing tensions with the national team's star striker, Kylian Mbappé, who yesterday announced his intention not to participate in an act promotion with the sponsors of the Federation.
"The French Football Federation is committed to reviewing, as soon as possible, the image rights agreement on the players of the national team," he announced in a statement after meeting with team executives, the president, the coach and a Marketing manager.
"The FFF is looking forward to working on the general lines of a new agreement that will allow it to protect its interests, taking into account the legitimate concerns and convictions expressed unanimously by the players," adds the text published through the Federation's social networks.
Mbappé refused to take part in a photo shoot and endorsement activities scheduled for Tuesday because he does not want to endorse some brands, including fast food chains and bookmakers, that are under contract with the national team. "I have decided not to participate in the photo session following the French federation's refusal to change the image rights agreement with the players," Mbappe said in a statement.
The current deal dating from 2010 requires players to engage in marketing operations with team sponsors. In exchange, players receive €25,000 for each international match they play. But Mbappe and his advisers argue the deal is unfair because images of some high-profile players are used more often than others.
Although the footballer assures that it is not an economic question, since he donates everything that enters under this concept to charitable associations, but of image. Footballers want the right to review the brands players are associated with to ensure they are in line with the values they represent.
The French striker already boycotted another promotional event with the Federation last March and in this international window the conflict has surfaced again. And it is not the only black cloud that flies over the French team in its preparation for the World Cup next November. The extortion scandal surrounding Paul Pogba is also very present during this international break in which France will face Austria and Denmark in the Nations League.
