Euro 2016: Topping group on France’s mind

Members of the French team train in Clairefontaine en Yvelines near Paris on Saturday, ahead of their final Group A game against Switzerland. (Photo: AFP )

Juventus star Paul Pogba finds himself at the eye of a storm as Euro 2016 hosts France prepare to face Switzerland in their final Group A game in Lille on Sunday.

Dropped for Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Albania in Marseille, Pogba came on at half-time and helped set up the second goal for Dimtri Payet deep into stoppage time with a trademark crossfield pass.

But his reaction — an explicit pump of the arm, apparently directed at the press box — caused a scandal and, despite the 23-year-old apologising, it has placed him squarely in the media crosshairs.

The France players who have faced the press since have done their best to dilute the controversy, Pogba’s midfield colleague N’Golo Kante saying: “I didn’t see this gesture that everyone’s talking about. I was celebrating the second goal.”

Centre-back Samuel Umtiti, meanwhile, protested: “I’m not someone who looks at the press.”

Nevertheless, with France already assured of a last 16 place, coach Didier Deschamps can expect the matter to be at the top of the agenda.

Broadcasters beIN Sports elected not to show footage of the incident out of a desire to avoid controversy, but video images quickly circulated on social media, undermining Pogba’s explanation, in a statement sent to AFP, that he was just doing his “usual dance”.

Pogba can at least look forward to a return to the starting XI against Switzerland, along with Antoine Griezmann, who came off the bench to score the crucial opening goal against Albania.

With Kante and Olivier Giroud both at risk of suspension, Yohan Cabaye and Andre-Pierre Gignac could come into the team as well, with Deschamps expected to revert to a 4-3-3 formation.

Deschamps will be keen for France to avoid a repeat of the fate that befell them at Euro 2012, when, under Laurent Blanc, a 2-0 loss to Sweden in their last group game condemned Les Bleus to a quarter-final encounter with eventual champions Spain.

With France two points clear of second-place Switzerland, a draw will guarantee them top spot in the group and with it a last 16 tie against the third-place team in Group C, D or E.