The French rugby league side has suffered a huge blow in the lead-up to next week's match against the Western Rams, with captain Jason Baitieri walking away from the squad.
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Baitieri said he was no longer to hide his "disgust" with the national set-up in his country and has highlighted a lack of professionalism within the governing body.
Baitieri is the current national captain and the son of International Rugby League Development Manager Tas Baitieri, who played a major role in securing the France-Western match at Parkes' Jock Colley Field.
The loss of the captain will no doubt disappoint fans who want to see the best the French can offer next week, but it's a far bigger issue for rugby league in France as a whole.
I cannot continue to play and sacrifice my body for a President and a Federation with whom I do not share the same dimension of values, respect, equality and above all honesty.
- Outgoing French captain Jason Baitieri
A match against the Junior Kangaroos awaits on Friday before next Wednesday's landmark meeting with the Rams at Parkes.
"After a long and delicate reflection and with a lot of emotions, I decided not to participate in the last two matches with the France team," Baitieri said in a statement to French media outlet L'Independant.
"I cannot continue to play and sacrifice my body for a President and a Federation with whom I do not share the same dimension of values, respect, equality and above all honesty.
"To this day, I do not feel any of these dimensions that must be transmitted by the head of the federation.
"As a captain it is harder and harder for me to hide my enormous suffering and disgust. I spent 10 beautiful years in France team where we have always worked together with honour but the last three years, I play mainly for my teammates, the staff, my family and especially my country."
Baitieri went on to say the French game is suffered and he can no longer wear the jersey "as long as the Federation is what it is today".
Tas Baitieri was at Parkes earlier this year to announce the match between France and the Rams and spoke of his excitement around a national side not only playing in a regional area, but also mixing in with the local community.
The match between France and the Rams is set to kick-off at 7pm next Wednesday at Parkes.
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