Kylian Mbappe receives apology from Belgium over deleted video before Euro 2024 clash

Belgium has been compelled to issue a humbling apology to Kylian Mbappe over a now-removed video where midfielder Amadou Onana stated he would tackle the Frenchman 'in the shin'.

The video was created after Belgian fans initiated a new chant about Onana fouling Mbappe. The Everton star echoed it in a clip shared by the Belgian FA ahead of the last-16 match between their team and France at Euro 2024.

In the video, Brussels-based comedian Pablo Andres asks: "Who will kick Mbappe in the shin? " before Onana chants his own name. Belgium has now been pushed into an awkward backpedal.

Before their press conference on Saturday at their training base, the team's press officer Stefan Van Loock issued an apology and announced the clip had been removed from their social media.

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"It was not the intention to attack anyone. We have been working with comedian Pablo Andres for a long time, this video also had to be funny," Van Loock said.

"But we misjudged that and also took the video offline. We would like to apologise to anyone we may have offended with this. For us, this is the end of the matter."

Belgium is seeking revenge for the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, when France defeated them on their way to winning the tournament. The winner of Monday's match will face Portugal or Slovenia in the quarter-finals.

France's team has reportedly started practicing penalties ahead of their match, unlike their opponents Belgium. However, Belgian winger Johan Bakayoko isn't worried about the lack of penalty drills.

"Honestly, I don't think there is a favorite. We have strengths and weaknesses, just like they do. Both teams fear each other. I only saw their match against the Netherlands and it was evenly matched," he shared.

"So I can't really comment on their team. But the key will lie in our own game. If we play well together as we already did and based on our strengths, we can of course win. Have we trained penalties? No. Coincidentally, Lois Openda kicked one. Whether it went in, you'll have to ask him.

"I was disappointed that I was not yet in the starting line-up. But I am not frustrated, because the coach makes the best decisions. We are also through, so he is right."

In other news, Kylian Mbappe is trialing a new, thinner mask after expressing dissatisfaction with the bulky one he used in the stalemate with Poland. The French forward, who sustained a broken nose in the opening match , needs facial protection but has been troubled by impaired vision due to the previous mask's thickness.