France U20 Star Mahamadou Diawara Returns to Lyon Amid Camp's 'Insensitivity' During Ramadan

• Mahamadou Diawara has left the France U20 national team camp
• The French-born Malian was included in an earlier national list
• France will face Germany's U20 during the international break

French football has been hit by another scandal after Olympique Lyonnais youngster, Mahamadou Diawara, left the U20 national team and returned to his club.

The 19-year-old was initially included in the squad to face Germany in a friendly but could not cope with some conditions set for the players.

Reports have now claimed the midfielder was forced out of the France youth team set-up due to his observing of Ramadan during the international break.

According to Instant Foot, via @Djamel, the Muslim faithful declined to halt his fasting, with some players said to have been informed of the decision before arriving at the training camp.

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The French Football Federation is yet to respond to the rumours or confirm that the Lyon youngster has been dropped from the team, although RMC Sport has explained the national team 'neutrality framework'.

Meanwhile, former Senegal forward, Demba Ba has strongly reacted to allegations of Diawara's omission from the French U20 team for observing Ramadan.

The former Chelsea forward, who was born in France to Senegalese parents, slammed the federation in a scathing post on X (formerly Twitter).

"That you deny them facilities in the lifestyle they have chosen, I can understand it, but no… you want to forbid him from being a Muslim," part of his message on social media was translated as saying.

Ba also blasted the French FA for allegedly trying to erase part of a player's identity.

"Have you ever imagined the positive impact that players could have on their performances and with their coaches and superiors if they were supported in their efforts rather than condemning them?

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"Football still has a lot to learn in terms of human management," he concluded.

Meanwhile, France U20 coach, Thierry Henry, will guide his team in a double-header against Germany during the international break.

Bakayoko interested in Ivory Coast switch

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that former Chelsea midfielder, Tiemoue Bakayoko, could switch allegiance from France to play for African champions, Ivory Coast.

The FC Lorient midfielder, who previously rejected a call-up from the African nation, is seemingly open for an invite despite representing Les Bleus in the past.

Bakayoko has one cap for the former world champions but remains eligible to represent the country of his parents and the current AFCON champions, Ivory Coast.