The Malagasy Football Federation (FMF) has officially dropped French-born goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher from the national team roster ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, succumbing to intense public pressure over controversial remarks made by the player eight years ago.
The 34-year-old shot-stopper had recently received his maiden call-up to represent the Barea, marking a major career milestone after years of competing in French football. However, his selection immediately sparked a widespread backlash among supporters and local commentators, who resurfaced an interview conducted eight years prior in which Boucher made dismissive public statements about the country and its national setup.
In an official statement released by the Malagasy Football Federation, officials acknowledged that an emergency meeting took place after the head coach was alerted to the historical comments. According to the governing body, the interview occurred “at a time when he was still unaware of his eligibility to represent the Madagascar national team”.
Despite the player’s prior ignorance of his heritage link at the time of the interview, the federation concluded that his presence in the squad risked fracturing team unity and alienating the fan base.
“After discussions between the different parties, it was decided not to include the player in the squad for the next Barea gathering,” the federation confirmed, effectively ending Boucher’s debut campaign before it could even begin.
The decision leaves Madagascar searching for alternative options between the posts as they continue their preparations for the crucial AFCON qualifying matches, prioritizing team harmony and public goodwill over the experienced veteran’s inclusion.
