Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna has defended former teammate Samir Nasri amid speculation over his future with the national team.
Nasri launched a verbal attack on a journalist following France's Euro 2012 exit at the hands of Spain, a move which has been condemned by the French football federation.
The FFF are due to meet regarding the situation, with L'Equipe speculating that the midfielder could be banned for up to two years. However, Sagna told the same newspaper that the federation should not punish Nasri too harshly.
"This is a sensitive issue and I was not there but I know when something does not please Samir he speaks his mind," Sagna told L'Equipe.
"He can have a violent reaction but you have to share your responsibilities. When someone attacks the press it will not go away. With the excitement of the game and everything that was written about him it was perhaps not the right time to respond. He should have kept his cool but it weighed on him.
"The Euros had not even started and the press had already criticised him. Everyone is human."
The French challenge at Euro 2012 was once again dogged by rumours of infighting, bringing back memories of their 2010 World Cup campaign in which the players rebelled against coach Raymond Domenech.
Barney Corkhill
