Photo: Sven Beyrich /Sportfrauen /SPP
It came as surprising news to most on Friday when France defender Wendie Renard announced that she was stepping back from the national team. In her statement, she cites that she could no longer endorse the current system being so far from the requirements of performing at the highest level and that she would not be playing in the World Cup this summer under said conditions.
Renard has been representing France on the international stage since 2011, and was captain from 2013-2017, and 2021, until now, after being stripped of the captaincy by manager Corinne Diacre.
Losing Renard on her own is a devastating blow for France’s World Cup chances but she was not the only senior team member to announce stepping back from international duty due to the team management. Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani both announced that they would be stepping back hours after Renard made her decision.
The loss of Katoto and Diani in the attack along with the aerial threat of Renard will be tough…
