Olivier Giroud hits back at French fans who jeered him during Euro 2016 after his ‘great’ season with Arsenal
Forward believes that fans targeted him not because of his own form but because of Karim Benzema's abscence
OLIVIER GIROUD has hit back at the French boo-boys who baited him during Euro 2016.
The Arsenal hitman, 29, was jeered throughout the tournament by his own fans - because of the absence of Karim Benzema.
French fans made their feelings heard despite Giroud netting three times as Didier Deschamps side cruised through to the final, before they were ultimately beaten by Portugal.
And the Gunners frontman admits that he is still 'annoyed' that his countrymen decided to boo him and believed their anger was misplaced.
He said: "I immediately realised that the people who booed me were not anti-Giroud, but pro-Benzema.
"It could not be otherwise. I came from a great season with Arsenal. It was just disappointing."
"It annoyed me. I was not even remotely responsible for this story and I did not understand the kind of hatred that developed against me.”
Benzema was banned from the French squad after being placed under formal investigation over an alleged blackmail plot involving fellow player Mathieu Valbuena.
Earlier today SunSport revealed how the Madrid striker will be free to return to international duty once legal proceedings have finished.
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