French KFC chiefs are considering taking action against Kylian Mbappe, after he decided against taking part in a photo shoot with the national team.
Mbappe has been criticised by some this season for his attitude, with the PSG star getting the brunt of the blame for a reported falling out with Neymar.
Whilst manager Christophe Galtier has claimed that there are no issues between the pair, the France forward has still been criticised for not even assisting either Neymar or Lionel Messi.
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Things haven't been plain sailing for the national team either, with the World Cup winner somehow getting wrapped up in a blackmail scandal involving Paul Pogba and the Juventus midfielder's brother.
On Monday it was reported that the 23-year-old was refusing to take part in a photo shoot with his France teammates, relating to the team's sponsors.
The reports said that Mbappe's issues were to do with image rights, how much he was being used and the companies that the team were sponsored by, rather than anything to do with money.
It appears that the photoshoot was with KFC, as vice president of KFC France, Alain Beral has claimed that they will consider action against the former Monaco star.
"We have paid for something clear. If necessary, we will assert our rights," Beral told he Sport Business Club website.
However, KFC France have actually distanced themselves from their vice president's statement, with the company putting out a statement of their own.
"KFC France regrets the words that were spoken yesterday and reported in the media this morning. These are personal opinions, but in no way reflect the position of the company," they said to Reuters.
"KFC France also wishes to clarify that Alain Beral did not speak on behalf of the company, but in the context of a private conversation during an event related to his functions as president of the National Basketball League.
"The partnership between KFC and the French Football Federation (FFF) has always been a source of pride for the company.
"KFC France has every confidence in the FFF’s ability to find satisfactory solutions for all of its partners and players, including Kylian Mbappe, whose supporters we are among the first in France."
Mbappe's issues are said to stem from working with fast food companies, and potentially betting companies as well and the FFF have said they will review their image rights policies.
"After conclusive discussions with the French team’s executives, the president, the coach and a marketing manager, the FFF has undertaken to revise, as soon as possible, the agreement on image rights that binds it to its national team players," they said in a statement.
It's not the first time that a footballers has been refused to be photographed with the product of a main sponsor, with Cristiano Ronaldo the most public example.
The Portugal forward refused to be seen with two bottles of Coca-Cola during a post match press conference during Euro 2020, moving them out of the way.
Topics: France, Kylian Mbappe, Paris Saint-Germain
Ryan Sidle