Zidane’s France appointment ignites row in Paris over focus on his religion

Zinedine Zidane’s return as France head coach has sparked a political and media storm after some coverage of his appointment homed in on his Muslim faith, prompting accusations of unequal treatment.

The French Football Federation recently confirmed that Zidane will take over the national team from Didier Deschamps, whose 14-year spell in charge of “Les Bleus” has come to an end.

The move marks the 54-year-old’s comeback to the dugout, his first coaching role since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.

However, the footballing significance of Zidane’s appointment has quickly been overshadowed in France by a public debate about religion, identity and the way the new coach is being portrayed.

Political backlash to media coverage

A number of media reports highlighted Zidane’s Islamic faith in the immediate aftermath of his appointment. Critics say that angle has singled him out in a way that previous France managers were not, and have framed it as an example of discriminatory treatment.

Abdelkader Lahmar, a French MP for the left-wing “La France insoumise” party and mayor of Vaulx-en-Velin, publicly condemned the focus on religion.

In a post on X, he contrasted the scrutiny of Zidane’s beliefs with the absence of similar questions when other coaches were named to the role.

He wrote: “لم نطرح ابدا سوال الدين على ديدييه ديشامب، لوران بلان، ريمون دومينيك، جاك سانتيني، روجيه لومير، او ايمي جاكيه عند تعيينهم.. فلماذا يطرح هذا السوال على زيدان، وهو لم يتول المنصب حتى منذ 24 ساعة؟”.

Lahmar’s intervention has fed into a broader national conversation about secularism and the place of religion in French public life, with social media users, commentators and politicians weighing in on whether Zidane is being treated fairly.

Zidane back at the heart of French football

Zidane, a World Cup winner with France as a player and a Champions League-winning coach with Real Madrid, takes charge of the national team after a long absence from day-to-day management.

His last spell in the dugout ended in 2021 when he left Real Madrid, and since then he has been linked with various high-profile jobs without committing to a return.

The French Football Federation has presented his appointment as the start of a new chapter for “Les Bleus” following Deschamps’ lengthy tenure, which included major tournament successes and a period of stability at the top level.

Debate set to run alongside new era

While football supporters and analysts in France have been quick to assess what Zidane’s tactical approach and man-management might mean for the national side, the early narrative around his appointment has been coloured by the controversy over references to his religion.

The criticism from figures such as Lahmar suggests that the debate over how Zidane is discussed in public life is likely to continue, even as he begins the task of reshaping the national team on the pitch.

For now, Zidane has yet to respond publicly to the row, and attention within the federation remains focused on preparing for the next phase of international competition under one of France’s most celebrated football figures.