Israel Saria
New France coach Laurent Blanc has suspended all 23 players involved in their shamed World Cup campaign from the friendly clash with Norway on August 11.
Blanc, who took charge of Les Blues after Raymond Domenech’s team crashed out of the World Cup in South Africa at the first hurdle, had said he would ring the changes after what he called an “unacceptable” incident.
The national team refused to train the day after Nicolas Anelka was sent home for rowing with Domenech at half-time during the 2-0 World Cup Group A defeat to Mexico. Captain Patrice Evra led a walk-out that players claimed was their response to a leak about the Anelka incident from the coaching staff to the press.
“Laurent Blanc presented his sporting project to the Federal Council today,” the France Football Federation said on their website.
“He also proposed to the Council that we do not retain any of the 23 players selected for the World Cup in South Africa for the friendly match against Norway in Oslo on Wednesday August 11.
“We have accepted this proposal. Laurent Blanc will communicate his squad list for this match on Thursday August 5, at 11.30am.”
France, who drew with Uruguay in their first game before losing to Mexico, left several senior players out of their final match against South Africa, which they lost 2-1 to seal an embarrassing early exit.
Players apologised for the incident, but continued to blame former coach Domenech for the fall-out, saying he had lost the dressing room.
Domenech was a controversial figure in his six-year spell as France coach, renowned for his bizarre statements and behaviour and eccentric player selections. However, he led Les Bleus to the 2006 World Cup final.
Eurosport
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