You may have heard about Patrice Evra's rant at pundits who he has deemed to be critical of him. If you have not then click here for the most illuminating quotes from that TV interview.

But this whole controversy comes at an inopportune time for the French national team. Not only did it come a day before the World Cup playoff draw which pitched them against Ukraine. But it also comes at a time when the French national side's popularity is at an all-time low as a disconnect grows between the public and players that are seen as spoiled and pampered.

With Evra seen as a key conspirator in the 2010 World Cup strike at a farcical tournament for France, the Man United left-back's outburst has not gone down well at all as French football writer Philippe Auclair explained on Off The Ball.

"Evra decided to launch a verbal assault on four different people. Obviously he has been the target of many comments and a lot of criticism. Some of it is fair and some of it is unfair. He was captain in South Africa 2010 and you could say that people haven't forgiven him," said Auclair.

"It's a very unfortunate incident. French football has been wearing a ball and chain and this comes at a bad time. French newspapers put out a poll in the last couple of days on the popularity of the team and it is at an all-time low. This has dropped a H-Bomb on French football."

Listen to the in-depth interview with Auclair on Off The Ball Football Show podcast.