Zacharie Boucher has been left out of Madagascar’s national team after the Madagascar Football Federation revisited comments he made in 2018.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper, who plays for ESTAC Troyes, had been named in the squad for the Barea despite previously turning down an approach from Madagascar.
Boucher represented France at youth level, including for the Under-21, Under-20 and Under-19 teams, and had hoped to play for the senior side. That opportunity never came, however, and he was contacted by the Malagasy federation in 2018 about joining the Barea.
He rejected the proposal and later explained his position in an interview with French newspaper L’Equipe.
“I am French. I have never been Malagasy. As far as I am concerned, there is nothing. You only have to look at my passport. If the coach calls me, the answer is no. I am not Malagasy,” Boucher said.
“The France national team shirt is important to me. I will not wear any shirt other than that. I am French, proud to be French, and I have no intention of playing in the Africa Cup of Nations with anyone else.”
The decision to call up Boucher sparked strong criticism among the Malagasy public. The federation subsequently decided to remove him from the national team.
“After discussions between the different parties, it was decided not to include the player in the squad for the next Barea gathering,” the federation said in a statement.
Madagascar’s decision means Boucher will not be part of the next national-team camp, despite having initially been selected.