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4 months ago
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Belgium have apologised 'if anyone may have been offended' after Amadou Onana joked that he would tackle Kylian Mbappe's shin in a playful video.
The midfielder chanted that he would commit the misdemeanour after being spurred on by Belgian comedian Pablo Andres.
Belgium will take on France in the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Monday and hope to assert dominance over their neighbours, who are typically superior on the pitch.
Onana and Andres were clearly in light-hearted spirits in the video but Belgium produced a sober response.
'A video was posted yesterday (Friday) on social networks in which Amadou Onana talks about tackling Mbappé on the shin,' the Belgian FA said in a statement.
Belgium have apologised after Amadou Onana chanted that he would 'tackle Kylian Mbappe in the shin'
The midfielder was spurred on by comedian Pablo Andres and Belgium have apologised 'if anyone may have been offended'
'The Federation has been working with Pablo Andres for several years now.
'The one published on our networks was also humorous. We apologise if anyone may have been offended.'
If any of the French national team are sincerely offended they will have to compose themselves and move on quickly ahead of their assignment in Dusseldorf on Monday evening.
The pre-tournament favourites suffered multiple wobbles in the group stage, accumulating just five points and failing to score from open play.
After beating Austria via a Maximilian Wober own goal, they wobbled to draws with the Netherlands and Poland, requiring an Mbappe penalty to secure a point against the latter.
Should Mbappe be struck on the shin he might require yet another mask to be constructed after breaking his nose against Austria.
France manager Dider Deschamps claimed ahead of the Poland clash that Mbappe was struggling to adjust to his new protective face mask after the blow.
The 25-year-old had a specially designed face mask made for him.
Kylian Mbappe is having to wear a protective mask after breaking his nose against Austria
The French star's Euro 2024 future had been in doubt after the nasty blow in their first game
Didier Deschamps revealed the Real Madrid superstar was struggling to see out of the mask
An original mask featured a French flag design that was later banned by UEFA due to it not conforming to their rules and regulations on face-wear, with Mbappe now having to wearing an all-black design.
Meanwhile, Onana has already been involved in one peculiar moment at Euro 2024.
The Everton star showcased his English accent during an awkward media round after Belgium lost their opening Euro 2024 fixture against Slovakia 1-0.
He corrected a reporter after he was confused with Manchester United and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana.
'Andre is not even my name, mate. Do you know what I mean?' he said, calmly rebuking a journalist who had tried to get his attention but misnamed him.
'That accent is so perfect that UEFA should forget the Belgian caps and let him play for England,' wrote one fan on X.
'That switch is unreal,' said one.
Amadou Onana had to correct a journalist on his name - and fans couldn't believe his accent
'Andre is not even my name, mate. Do you know what I mean?' he said in a clear English accent
'Brother has a better English accent than most English people,' another commented.
'The transition to the British accent is so so smooth,' one wrote.
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