Francois Hollande attacks Muslim immigration saying the French symbol will one day be a woman in a burqa

PRESIDENT Francois Hollande has admitted France "has a problem with Islam" and warns that the national symbol of his country could one day be a woman in a veil.

He also branded ethnic minority football stars as "guys from the estates, without references, without values, who leave France too early".

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The words were all part of a more general attack on people from Muslim backgrounds whom the Socialist Mr Hollande views as a major difficulty for his country.

In explosive revelations made by investigative journalists, the Socialist Mr Hollande appears to be every bit as right-wing as his hated opponents from the National Front and Republican parties.

But it is his obvious disdain for outstanding sportsmen – many of whom move to Britain – that is currently causing the most controversy.

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In a private conversation contained in a new book called A President Should Not Say That, Mr Hollande says footballers are all part of a serious identity crisis.

He told journalists that there was a "fragmentation, an ethnicisation" in the French international team and that the "facts were terrible".

Mr Hollande made his comments soon after his election in 2012, where he said: "There is no attachment in this France team.

"They are guys from the estates, with no references, no values, who leave for France too soon."

He said all were poorly educated and not "psychologically prepared to know the difference between good and evil".

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In fact, Paris-born Muslims such as Paul Pogba of France and Manchester United are among the most successful players in the world today.

Not only did Pogba score for his country in a victory against Holland this week, but he is known for his exemplary off-field behaviour.

So is the clean living Riyad Mahrez, of Leicester and Algeria, who as well as being a Paris Muslim was the Premiership player of the year in England last season.

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During his election campaign, Mr Holland was regularly on the estates, claiming he was at one with poor communities.

But his hypocrisy has now been exposed by authors Gerard Davet and Fabrice Lhomme, Le Monde journalists who base their book on 61 interviews carried out with Mr Hollande over the last four years.

He reveals that he no longer supports mass immigration, saying "I think there are too many arrivals" and says: "It’s true there’s a problem with Islam, it’s true. It’s not in doubt."

Mr Hollande says of Marianne, the mythical female symbol of the French Republic: "The veiled woman of today will be the Marianne tomorrow.

"The president is likely to stand for re-election next year, and his opponents currently include the diminutive right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy, whom he describes as a ‘Little Napoleon’ and a ‘Duracell Bunny'."

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