Audio By Carbonatix
France coach Didier Deschamps has named his first squad for the forthcoming friendly against Uruguay - with the four players disciplined by the country's football federation (FFF) after Euro 2012 all missing.
Jeremy Menez and Samir Nasri were ruled out of the match after being suspended for one and three games respectively by the FFF. Midfielders Yann M'Vila and Hatem Ben Arfa, who were both given warnings but not suspended, were not selected by Deschamps.
The FFF imposed the punishments after holding an inquiry into the players' conduct during the tournament, in which France went out in the quarter-finals amid reports of dressing-room unrest.
Nasri was banned for three games after a foul-mouthed tirade at reporters following the tame last-eight defeat to Spain, while Menez was banned for one match after confrontations with team-mate Hugo Lloris and referee Nicola Rizzoli in the same game.
Midfielder Yohan Cabaye and Valencia defender Adil Rami are ruled out of the squad because of injuries, while Philippe Mexes is also out.
Defenders Raphael Varane and Christophe Jallet and midfielder Etienne Capoue have all been given first international call-ups, while there are recalls for Lille captain Rio Mavuba, forward Jimmy Briand and Marseille defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.
Deschamps said: "Mavuba plays for a big club in France and has played in the Champions League. He has performed well and is the captain of Lille. That is enough to earn a place in the France squad."
Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff was not selected, and the coach explained: "I have an eye on Gourcuff, but I would rather take some time before making a decision on him."
France squad for Uruguay friendly
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)
Defenders: Gael Clichy (Man City), Mathieu Debuchy (Lille), Patrice Evra (Man Utd), Christophe Jallet (PSG), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Mamadou Sakho (PSG), Rafael Varane (Real Madrid), Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (Marseille)
Midfielders: Etienne Capoue (Toulouse), Maxime Gonalons (Lyon), Marvin Martin (Lille), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Jimmy Briand (Lyon), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Bafetimbi Gomis (Lyon), Dimitri Payet (Lille), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich).
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
VALCO Board holds maiden strategic meeting with management
2 minutes -
African Festival: Nollywood star Tony Umez joins Nkrumah musical in Accra
8 minutes -
GRA–SML case politically motivated; Ofori-Atta is not evading justice – US lawyer
10 minutes -
Ghana’s financial sector stability sustained but risks remain – IMF
10 minutes -
Revival Concert sees massive turnout for Kweku Smoke
16 minutes -
Amenfi Central MP supports completion of CHPS compound at Manso Nkwanta No. 2
24 minutes -
Access Bank Ghana reflects on a year of resilience, renewal and impact at end-of-year thanksgiving service
25 minutes -
900 women die in childbirth in 2025 – Gender Ministry warns Ghana is off track on maternal health
29 minutes -
Fire destroys ten container shops at Tadisco Down, Takoradi
46 minutes -
Gov’t secures $200m World Bank funding to end double-track system – Education Minister
1 hour -
Interior Minister assures Bono Region of enhanced security at NSB command opening
2 hours -
Japan steps up support for Ghana’s rice value chain as challenges mount
2 hours -
Nigeria adopts e-pharmacy 3 years after Ghana’s ground-breaking launch
2 hours -
Sarkodie, King Promise, Kweku Smoke and Asakaa Boys headline Music Is My Life Concert 2026
3 hours -
One dead, three in critical condition after another accident on Nkwanta-Kpassa road
3 hours
