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Why France fans are booing Olivier Giroud – and why it has to stop

The striker has become a scapegoat but he remains an important member of the squad and has a commendable scoring record when playing for Didier Deschamps' side

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In the space of 20 minutes of France’s comfortable 3-0 victory over Scotland on Saturday, Olivier Giroud summed up the paradox he poses for fans of Les Bleus as the country prepares for their attempt to win Euro 2016.

Shortly before the start of the match he finished his warm up practising his shooting with Didier Deschamps’ assistant Guy Stephane. There was nothing unusual about that, only the Arsenal man failed to find the target with any of his efforts on the goal of Benoit Costil, France’s third-choice keeper.