The France camp at the 2022 FIFA World Cup is reportedly divided over one of their teammates' place in the team.
The reigning world champions have got off to a good start at the tournament in Qatar, having secured first place in Group D and a spot in the round of 16.
Read: France launch complaint to FIFA over controversial call against Tunisia
Despite their success so far, though, Bayern Munich star Benjamin Pavard has been singled out for his poor performance against Australia after he allowed Craig Goodwin to run through and score during Les Bleus' comfortable 4-1 win in what was their opening match of the showpiece.
According to L'Equipe, the fullback was slammed by Deschamps in a team meeting after the loss, while some of his teammates also criticised the defender for his display against the Socceroos, although some of the team's older members instead showed their support for the scrutinised player, who has not featured again since that first match.
It is said that these different views on the situation has caused a divide in the team, with Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris said to be among the supporters for the under-fire player, while FC Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele is believed to be one of the players who are against Pavard's selection going forward
The former Stuttgart right-back lost his place in the team's starting line-up for France's second match of the tournament, with Jules Kounde replacing him.
Deschamps then opted to make several changes to the starting XI for their third group game against Tunisia, with the team's passage to the knockout stages already confirmed.
This appeared to backfire, though, as Les Bleus lost 1-0 to the African nation, with the manager later explaining why he left Pavard out of the team for that tie.
Read: FIFA sanctions Senegal for breaching WC rules
"I took the decision not to play him, I won't go into the details," Deschamps said, per the Daily Mail.
"I've had several conversations with him. I don't consider him to be in the right disposition.
"So you'll ask me – is it physical, is it in his head?
"The first match didn't help, of course. That's why I made a different choice."
France's next opponents in Qatar are Poland, with that last 16 tie set to kick off at 5pm SAST on Sunday.
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