French Football Federation suspends entire World Cup 2010 squad for Norway friendly
Federation backs manager's decision

By Matt Monaghan
23 Jul 2010 15:40:00


The French Football Federation has backed the decision of new head coach Laurent Blanc to suspend the entire World Cup 2010 squad for the friendly against Norway.

Les Blues endured a chaotic campaign with a player's strike following the call to send Nicolas Anelka home for swearing at ex-boss Raymond Domenech. After defeats to South Africa and Mexico, the nation were dumped out of the competition in the first round amid a deluge of criticism at their actions.

Since coming home from the tournament, World Cup 1998 winning legends Marcel Desailly and Lillian Thuram have called for skipper Patrice Evra to be banned from the side. Their team-mate - and new head coach - Laurent Blanc has extended this by informing the FFF at a meeting that all 23-players must be excluded from selection for the friendly against Norway on August 11.

A statement on the organisation's official website confirmed the decision.

It said: "Laurent Blanc was heard this Friday, July 23 by the Federal Council which he presented his staff and his sporting project.

"He also proposed to the Federal Council, which agreed to retain for the friendly match Norway-France, Wednesday, August 11 in Oslo, none of the 23 players officially selected by the French Football Federation for World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

"Laurent Blanc will communicate the list of players selected for this Norway-France match on Thursday, August 5 at 11:30 am CET at the head of the FFF."





http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3264/france/2010/07/23/2038868/breaking-news-french-football-federation-suspends-entire