Cameroon defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto says he chose not to play for France because the country blames black players when the team struggles.
The 30-year-old Tottenham full-back was born in France, but qualified to play for Cameroon through his father.
He said: “When the national team get a bad result, they start to say there is a little bit too many black people, Muslim people and this kind of stuff.
“I don’t like it. There is no point for me to play for this kind of country.”
After starting his career with Lens, Assou-Ekotto joined Tottenham in 2006 and made his Cameroon debut three years later.
Having helped Queens Park Rangers win promotion to the Premier League during a season-long loan, he is playing at his second World Cup.
Cameroon, who opened their Group A campaign with a 1-0 defeat by Mexico, face Croatia on Wednesday.
BBC SPORT
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