Zinedine Zidane dealt early blow as Mohamed Senhadji barred from France camp

Zinedine Zidane has suffered an early setback at the start of his tenure as France manager, with Mohamed Senhadji ruled out of the team’s first training camp under the new coach.

Senhadji, who is responsible for security and logistics within the France set-up, has been placed under judicial restrictions that prevent him from entering the Clairefontaine national football centre or contacting members of the coaching staff and squad.

French sports newspaper L’Equipe reports that Senhadji has been charged with corruption, abuse of influence, embezzlement of public funds and fraud. He is now subject to strict judicial supervision while the legal process continues.

The case relates to events following the 2022 World Cup and a donation made by Kylian Mbappe to members of the France team’s security operation. Subsequent investigations uncovered alleged irregularities connected with that donation.

Senhadji had already faced administrative measures over the matter. However, the current judicial investigation has brought new developments and resulted in tighter restrictions on his involvement with the national team.

He has worked on security matters for France since 2004 and had been retained by the French Football Federation as part of the new staff chosen by Zidane. The coach had insisted that Senhadji remain involved despite the uncertainty surrounding his position and the controversy over his future in recent months.

The new conditions mean Senhadji will not be able to attend France’s first gathering under Zidane. He will also be unable to communicate with either the coaching staff or the players, ending his immediate involvement with a squad he has been connected to for more than two decades.

Senhadji’s lawyer criticised the measures, describing them as unfair and aimed directly at his client. The lawyer has confirmed that an appeal will be lodged against the judicial decisions, with the aim of having the restrictions lifted.

The absence leaves Zidane without one of the key figures close to him within the team environment as he begins his official work with France. The former France player had been preparing his coaching and administrative staff ahead of the opening camp of his new assignment.

Senhadji’s exclusion is therefore the first major disruption to Zidane’s plans, before the new manager has even begun working with the squad.