25.02.2010
Vieira misses out on France-Spain friendly


Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira has missed out on a place in France's 24-man squad announced on Thursday for next week's friendly against Spain in Paris.
Former French captain Vieira, capped 107 times, moved to Manchester from Inter Milan in a bid to regain his place in Raymond Domenech's side in time for this summer's World Cup in South Africa.
But a lack of first-team action due to suspension and injuries has counted against the 33-year-old ex-Arsenal man.
"I discussed this with him," Domenech said. "He's only played two whole matches and he agreed that this was not sufficient.
"He must play more matches and there was no use in throwing him straight into a game when the player himself believes he is not ready."
The French coach instead handed recalls to Everton striker Louis Saha and Marseille forward Hatem Ben Arfa.
Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery also returns to the international fold after a spell on the sidelines.
Bordeaux defender Mickael Ciani, Lyon left-back Aly Cissokho and Marseille midfielder Benoit Cheyrou were among those to win their first-ever call up to the French national side.
Real Madrid star Karim Benzema, however, is absent from the squad due to injury.
Les Bleus meet Euro 2008 winners Spain at the Stade de France in the French capital on March 3.
France squad
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Cédric Carrasso (Bordeaux)
Defenders: Jean-Alain Boumsong (Lyon), Mickael Ciani (Bordeaux), Aly Cissokho (Lyon), Julien Escude (Sevilla/ESP), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ENG), Rod Fanni (Rennes), Adil Rami (Lille), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG)
Midfielders: Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Moussa Sissoko (Toulouse), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Benoit Cheyrou (Marseille)
Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea/ENG), Hatem Ben Arfa (Marseille), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Thierry Henry (Barcelona/ESP), Loic Remy (Nice), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/GER), Louis Saha (Everton/ENG)
Source: © 2010 AFP - Andrew Yates
|