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France have sensationally suspended all 23 members of their World Cup squad for their next game.

New Les Bleus coach Laurent Blanc has requested that none of the 23-man squad that represented France in South Africa be called up for the friendly against Norway next month.

France endured a disastrous World Cup failing to win any of their three games and crashing out at the first hurdle.

The squad also staged a strike by walking out on training in protest to the treatment of team-mate Nicolas Anelka, who was sent home after a bust-up with former coach Raymond Domenech during the second group match against Mexico.

There were also reports of infighting in the squad between players and management.

The actions of the players came in for heavy criticism from the French Football Federation and former players, including Lilian Thuram.

Blanc, who will take charge for the first time against Norway in Oslo on 11th August, has asked the French Football Federation to suspend the players and the FFF have accepted the proposal.

The development is the latest in a long line of incidents to rock the 1998 World Cup winners as they look to bounce back from the disappointments of South Africa.

A statement on www.fff.fr read: "Laurent Blanc met this Friday, July 23, with the federal council, to whom he presented his staff and his sporting project.

"He also proposed to the federal council, who accepted, not to retain for the friendly against Norway, on Wednesday August 11 in Oslo, any of the 23 players officially selected by the French Football Federation for the World Cup in South Africa.

"Laurent Blanc will release the list of players retained for this match against Norway on Thursday August 5 at 11.30."

.....and we think we've got problems

Given that Domenech didn't call up any Serie A players and wasters like Henry and Cisse were there, I reckon they could still put out a decent team without any of the ones who went to the WC.

Considering that it is a friendly versus Norway and most of the squad won't be fit to play, nor will they probably have any wish to play, it's all very clever bollocks.

Esky wrote:Given that Domenech didn't call up any Serie A players and wasters like Henry and Cisse were there, I reckon they could still put out a decent team without any of the ones who went to the WC.

Serie A = Italy mate

john68 wrote:Considering that it is a friendly versus Norway and most of the squad won't be fit to play, nor will they probably have any wish to play, it's all very clever bollocks.

think you have hit the nail there. It also looks like they are doing something about the situation and kicking the collective butt in front of the fans and the world. could you imagine the FA doing something similar?

cant see it happening but now the world is going to be watching the Norway game.. so if they get stuffed by Norway then where does that leave them?

I have no doubt that all the WC players that Blanc felt were important to his future plans were all fully informed of the ban and most were quite relieved and welcomed being out of the media spotlight.
Blanc will have a fair idea of who he would like to promote into his squad and it gives him a free hand to bring them in.

It suits his plans, it suits the players and satisfies the blood lust of the French media and public...Everyone's a winner.

Esky wrote:Given that Domenech didn't call up any Serie A players and wasters like Henry and Cisse were there, I reckon they could still put out a decent team without any of the ones who went to the WC.

didn't know we had any players in italian football except Mexes
still trying to think who will be in the squad never mind the team to play Norway,Nasri,will be one ,then there's Mexes,Ben Arfa another but for sure no Benzema he might be in the nick by then along with Ribery !!