Christophe Dugarry, former French national team player turned pundit, revealed on RMC that he received feedback after his criticism of the French team during Euro 2024, while working as a pundit for M6. A 1998 World Cup winner and 2000 European champion with Les Bleus, the former Bordeaux striker explained that the channel had asked him to adopt a more positive tone in his commentary, even when he didn't think the matches were going well.
"I say what I think, whether it's right or wrong."
Dugarry described a discussion with M6's sports management before or during his assignment covering the Euros. He claims to have warned them that he would not change his commentary style. "When they come looking for me, I tell them: I say what I think, whether it's right or wrong."he admitted. He also claims to have recalled his relationship with Didier Deschamps were "a little tense", but that he would disregard this context when commenting on the matches of the French team.
The criticism following the elimination of the French national team
After the French national team's run, which ended in the semi-finals against Spain, Christophe Dugarry says he had a debriefing with the M6 sports director. At that moment, he claims to have sensed his interlocutor "A little tense"The criticism concerned the tone of his comments: he was allegedly judged "Too hard"Dugarry recounts asking him if the French team's play had actually been good during the competition. His interlocutor reportedly replied that it had not.
"Even when it's rubbish, he says it's good."
The consultant then claims that the discussion took a turn when his interlocutor cited the example of Éric Antoine, a presenter of, among other things, France has an unbelievable talent : "Look at Eric Antoine. Even when it's rubbish, he says it's good." A comparison he did not accept: "You should never have taken me if you wanted me to say something I didn't believe."
Dugarry is targeting those who will comment on M6
Christophe Dugarry concluded by criticizing the editorial line that M6 reportedly wants to apply to its upcoming commentary of the French national team's matches. He stated that he had been told about "Positive comment", with the idea of retaining only what is going well. "Even if it's not good, we have to say that it's good.", he summed up.
He then made a sarcastic comment about the channel's future consultants: "I wish good luck to those who will be commentating on M6, have fun, and enjoy themselves. They explained to us that they would be giving positive commentary, that they would only say what's good. The guy who misses a dribble, a goal, a defender who makes a blunder: they won't mention it anymore."
