GEORGIA boss Willy Sagnol delivered an angry X-rated denial when quizzed on whether his Euro 2024 team selection is influenced by political interference.
There has been huge political turmoil since the controversial “foreign influence” legislation came in earlier this month in the former Soviet Union.
That was after weeks of protests against the Georgian Dream party that brought it in.
Georgia face Portugal tomorrow in their final Group F game after losing to Turkey and drawing with Czech Republic.
Ahead of their must-win showdown, their French manager Sagnol, who was a 2006 World Cup finalist with his country, faced the media.
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He was furious when he was asked if striker Budu Zivzivadze's playing time had been restricted due to politics.
The 30-year-old, who plays for Karlsruher SC, slammed the law, which many say is modelled on Russian legislation used to stifle dissent.
And Sagnol delivered a foul-mouthed tirade when that was put to him at the press conference in Gelsenkirchen.
The ex-Bayern Munich man raged: “It's funny because I remember six, seven months ago I was insulted by a big amount of people when I was putting (Georges) Mikautadze on the bench, and when I was letting Budu play.
“And now I'm insulted, every day, by some t*** - and I can say it, I say it again, t*** - because for absolutely no football reasons. And I can't accept that any longer.
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“I'm a football coach, I'm nothing else. That is clear to everyone. Who plays and who doesn't play it's my entire decision. That's it.”
Sagnol, who has been in charge of Georgia since 2021 after previously coaching Bordeaux, added: “If I had to listen to every one of you then we would have to change the rules and play with 25 players on the pitch.”
Georgia have just a point from their first ever two matches at a major international and are bottom of Group F.
However, a win over Portugal, who are already certain of top spot, would guarantee them a place in the knockouts as one of the four best third-placed teams.
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And star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, 23, has every faith that they will advance.
He said: “We're confident that we can win because we went close against Turkey and the Czech Republic.
“Anything can happen at any moment, you can create something that can be a turning point in any match.”
