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Aquilani agent predicts Juve stay


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Updated Mar 22, 2011 9:42 AM ET
Alberto Aquilani's agent says the on-loan Liverpool midfielder is likely to sign a permanent contract with Juventus at the end of the season.
Aquilani was allowed to return to Serie A by former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson last August after just one injury-afflicted season in the Premier League.

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And Aquilani's representative Franco Zavaglia has suggested his client is ready to extend his stay in Turin this summer despite being linked with a return to Roma.
"Aquilani to Roma? That will be difficult. Juve has the priority and I don't think they will let him escape," he told Italian broadcaster Radio Mana Mana.
"On June 30 Juventus will be able to buy Aquilani and they should act now.
"They could sign him by making three to four delayed payments, a system which was established last summer.
"The agreement between Liverpool and Juventus is already there, it all depends on the willingness of Juventus.
"I think Aquilani will stay at Juventus and there will not be any obstacles."
 
Blanc welcomes Ribery return


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Updated Mar 22, 2011 12:21 PM ET
France coach Laurent Blanc is relishing the return of Franck Ribery against Luxembourg but knows he alone cannot win the Euro 2012 qualifier.

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The Bayern Munich winger was banned for three matches after his part in Les Bleus' embarrassing World Cup campaign last summer, and on Monday made an emotional apology for a "horrible" 2010 which also saw him become embroiled in a sex scandal and miss his club's Champions League final defeat by Inter Milan through suspension.
He returns to the national team set-up for the first time this season against the Group D minnows, with coach Blanc feeling his creativity will be key to unlocking a team who "play with 11 behind the ball".
"You can have the best team in the world but at a given moment, if you are not able to put your opponents under pressure because they are too well organised, you must have players who can make the difference," said Blanc.
"We will look to him a lot, but we must not put him under any more pressure by thinking he can win the game on his own."
Ribery's position in the side remains open to debate, with the right-wing berth where he first made his name looking a more likely assignment than the 27-year-old's preferred spot on the left flank, where Chelsea's Florent Malouda is the man in possession.
"There will be a discussion," said Blanc.
"He started with the national team on the right, where he was very impressive. He prefers the left wing, which makes sense because that is where he plays for his club.
"I believe he can play
 
Terry: I'm not everybody's cup of tea


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Updated Mar 22, 2011 12:23 PM ET
John Terry acknowledged Tuesday that he is not ''everybody's cup of tea'' and his reappointment as England captain is unpopular with some people.
Coach Fabio Capello confirmed to the squad at training on Tuesday ahead of a 2012 European Championship qualifier at Wales on Saturday that Terry would be regaining the captain's armband from injured Rio Ferdinand.

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''I'm not going to be everybody's cup of tea as I've read and I've seen, but it was the manager's decision (to reinstate me),'' Terry said. ''Respect for the players around me and the manager has always been there.''
The Chelsea defender was stripped of the national team captaincy in February 2010 after allegations he had an affair with England teammate Wayne Bridge's former girlfriend, a scandal which led to Bridge quitting international football.
The incident rocked the England squad in the buildup to the World Cup in South Africa, where the team was eliminated in the second round.
The 30-year-old Terry said no one in the team had questioned his return as captain.
''When the manager confronted the team on the training pitch (on Tuesday), he asked the players if they had any questions and nobody spoke,'' Terry said. ''Nobody said a world to the manager. Nobody said a word to me.''
Despite media reports that Ferdinand was miffed at how the captaincy was handled, Terry said the Manchester United defender called to congratulate him.
Terry called it a ''a very nice touch and goes to show what a great man Rio is.''
''We had a 10-minute conversation and he wished me well,'' Terry said. ''He cares about England and said the most important thing was to keep winning. He was naturally disappointed, but said the most important thing was to keep winning.''
Injuries restricted Ferdinand to just four England appearances as captain, with the defender missing the entire World Cup and now set to miss the rest of this season.
Terry is adamant that he should never have been stripped of the captaincy by Capello in the first place.
''I met Fabio and (general manager) Franco (Baldini) on the day and accepted the decision,'' Terry said. ''That doesn't mean I agreed with it but I looked them both in the eye and said 'You'll get nothing less from me in training and on the field.'''
Terry insisted that now he is ''certainly older, but wiser as well.''
''Maybe the manager looked into that as well, that I had kept my head down and concentrated on playing well for club and country,'' he said.
 


Johnson: AC will make big impact


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Updated Mar 22, 2011 7:24 AM ET
Glen Johnson believes there is "no doubt" Liverpool team-mate Andy Carroll will explode onto the international scene with England.
Carroll linked up with Johnson at England's training base in Watford on Monday night ahead of Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

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Although the 22-year-old striker only made his international debut against France in November, coach Fabio Capello has already earmarked Carroll as one of the key members of his squad.
And, after a couple of months in the same Anfield dressing room as the £35million new arrival, Johnson, who was visiting the Ellesmere Port car plant of new England sponsors Vauxhall, can see exactly why.
"He scares the life out of opposition defences," said the full-back.
"Everyone sees Andy as a big target man, who can hold the ball up. But there is far more to his game than that.
"He is always an outlet. You can stretch the play by giving it to him and he scores goals.
"Defenders just do not like the way he plays.
"He has caught me by surprise with his development but in football your life can change very quickly.
"There is no doubt he can make a big impact."
For a man of such size, Carroll has disappeared under the radar given the attention understandably being devoted to John Terry's reinstatement as skipper.
Although it appears Rio Ferdinand has no intention of abandoning the England cause when he recovers from his calf injury, the Manchester United defender is clearly unhappy with Fabio Capello's handling of the situation.
It has been suggested others feel the same way, which might lead to a frosty atmosphere at training on Tuesday morning.
However, according to Johnson, the situation has been overblown and in Terry, England have the ideal man to guide them towards the European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine next summer.
"John Terry leads by example," said Johnson.
"He loves the shirt and wears his heart on his sleeve.
"He is a vocal presence who tries to help the new lads in the squad. He can see the whole game and organises everything.
"He is a leader and he deserves the armband."
Johnson certainly does not feel there is likely to be any disharmony in the camp and believes Ferdinand is mature enough to cope with the disappointment.
"It will not be a problem," he said.
"Obviously Rio will be upset to lose the armband. But he is a big man and he will pick himself up and get on with it.
"We are going to miss him this week. When you lose anyone like that, you are going to notice it.
"But everyone in the squad is a professional. We will get on with our job."



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  • Report Abuse ManCanada
    • 3/22/2011 11:11:22 AM
    I have the feeling Andy Carroll will be on the cover of Madden 2012.
  • Report Abuse firstone
    • 3/22/2011 11:01:37 AM
    Poor Carroll, so new to all this and already getting the English kiss of death! He may be ok to play Wales but he's not skilled enough to make any impact against skilled teams as England must eventually play if they get that far....
  • Report Abuse mcadb
    • 3/22/2011 9:54:49 AM
    Sadly your right about the British media. They put so much pressure on young players they seem to burn out by 30 (Owen, Joe Cole), or buckle under the pressure. Mr. Carroll just needs to be able to go out play and have some fun on the pitch. Andy is very much still a 'diamond in the rough' skills wise so these types of games will help his confidence and gain him valueable experience on the international level.
  • Report Abuse henryuja
    • 3/22/2011 9:01:18 AM
    Philly you gotta understand with Enlish football eveything is blown outta proportion, Rooney was touted to be the next Pele, Capello was seen as a divine saviour before South Africa 2010 and the list goes on
  • Report Abuse PhiladelphiaHotSpur
    • 3/22/2011 8:46:22 AM
    11 goals at a newly promoted NU club and now the entire country of England is banking on this guy...........

    A little aggressive ???
  • Report Abuse DvdItly
    • 3/22/2011 6:34:57 AM
    I feel bad for this kid. I hope he can handle all this pressure.
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Blanc welcomes Ribery return


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Updated Mar 22, 2011 12:21 PM ET
France coach Laurent Blanc is relishing the return of Franck Ribery against Luxembourg but knows he alone cannot win the Euro 2012 qualifier.

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The Bayern Munich winger was banned for three matches after his part in Les Bleus' embarrassing World Cup campaign last summer, and on Monday made an emotional apology for a "horrible" 2010 which also saw him become embroiled in a sex scandal and miss his club's Champions League final defeat by Inter Milan through suspension.
He returns to the national team set-up for the first time this season against the Group D minnows, with coach Blanc feeling his creativity will be key to unlocking a team who "play with 11 behind the ball".
"You can have the best team in the world but at a given moment, if you are not able to put your opponents under pressure because they are too well organised, you must have players who can make the difference," said Blanc.
"We will look to him a lot, but we must not put him under any more pressure by thinking he can win the game on his own."
Ribery's position in the side remains open to debate, with the right-wing berth where he first made his name looking a more likely assignment than the 27-year-old's preferred spot on the left flank, where Chelsea's Florent Malouda is the man in possession.
"There will be a discussion," said Blanc.
"He started with the national team on the right, where he was very impressive. He prefers the left wing, which makes sense because that is where he plays for his club.
"I believe he can play anywhere across the attack. He is capable of beating his man no matter what area of the pitch he is in."



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  • Report Abuse SpidermanItalia
    • 3/22/2011 10:44:08 PM
    Zidane---It just seems to be that France consistently produces quality players. Ribery has had some recent injury issues. I just think by WC 2014 France may have 2 or 3 more dynamic younger players who could overtake him on the depth chart.
  • Report Abuse Zidane510
    • 3/22/2011 8:54:16 PM
    Spider, Why not 3 tourneys left? He'll be 28 come the next Euro. I could see him being a main asset to the team until hes at least 32 depending on his form and the many upcoming talents...
  • Report Abuse SpidermanItalia
    • 3/22/2011 5:05:39 PM
    Franck has about one major tourney left in him. France has produced some great footballers over the years---Makelele being my personal favorite--Franck needs to seize this opportunity because there are alot of hungry young French footballers itching for a chance to unseat him.
  • Report Abuse LBJ623
    • 3/22/2011 4:01:33 PM
    Yes Zidane everyone desreves a second chance, But I will not forget the horror of the world cup, as a life long france fan it was embrassing. Ribery said in a interview he lost himself in 2010, isn't going to go down that path again.
    I'm very excited and optimistic for the future too, We have a young upcoming manager and a great squad of players just as good as anyone has. I'm expecting 3 points this weekend, but you never know in football.
  • Report Abuse Sangre_Celeste
    • 3/22/2011 2:43:31 PM
    LOL@26. Just make sure the money looks right.

    Yeah this team is loads better than most other NT in Europe, particularly England and Italy. I'd like to see how they do in the next tourney if they can get some chemistry...
  • Report Abuse footballsoccer26
    • 3/22/2011 2:01:09 PM
    hookers don't care how he looks..
  • Report Abuse rotwiessessen222
    • 3/22/2011 1:17:36 PM
    medicine, it gives him some character on the pitch and as long as he and his wife are ok with it what does it matter? He is never going to be a pretty boy like CR7. Franck is Franck and you get used to it.

    And I am hoping that he returns from Les Blues in one piece.
  • Report Abuse medicinebass
    • 3/22/2011 12:42:29 PM
    You would think that with all the money that Franck has made and is still making....
    he could get his face fixed.... some plastc surgery on the scars and an orthodontist for his teeth.
    A very useful player, none-the-less 🙂
  • Report Abuse Zidane510
    • 3/22/2011 11:50:37 AM
    Good to see him and Patrice back. Everyone deserves a second chance... Dont eff it up this time. With #7 back to full form with Bayern, Im curious to see how well he'll fit in this new France side. Im excited to see the potential of a trio of up front of Ribs, Benz & Nasri. WIth Malouda, M'Vila & Gourcuff rounding off the mid, hopefully the fluid football of late will continue. On a LB note, Evras not a bad replacement for Abidal...
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Italy coach sticking with new conduct code


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Updated Mar 21, 2011 2:35 PM ET
FLORENCE, Italy (AP)

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is sticking with his code of conduct ''at all costs,'' even though it has resulted in the exclusions of Daniele De Rossi and Mario Balotelli for Friday's European Championship qualifier in Slovenia.
When he replaced Marcello Lippi after Italy's first-round elimination from the World Cup, Prandelli instituted new rules whereby national team players are expected to meet high behavioral standards even with their clubs.

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De Rossi was banned for three AS Roma games by UEFA for elbowing Shakhtar Donetsk captain Dario Srna in the face during a Champions League match earlier this month, and Balotelli was sent off during a Europa League match with Manchester City last week for a studs-first lunge at Dynamo Kiev defender Goran Popov.
''Their exclusions last for one game, so for Ukraine we'll see,'' Prandelli said Monday, looking forward to next week's friendly in Kiev. ''The ethics code will stay at all costs, otherwise we won't be credible. Everyone supports it and nobody has ever had anything against it.''
So what would Prandelli do if this were the final qualifier with everything on the line?
''If you want to play that game, OK, let's play: If it were the final, decisive game before the Euros I would have called up (Francesco) Totti and (Alessandro) Del Piero - and maybe also (Antonio) Di Natale and (Marco) Di Vaio,'' Prandelli said, mentioning four over-30 forwards who have impressed in Serie A this season.
''They're examples for the younger players. These kids should learn from them,'' Prandelli added.
With midfielder Andrea Pirlo also out due to injury, Cesena's Marco Parolo was given his first call-up, while Parma's Sebastian Giovinco and Juventus' Alessandro Matri joined regulars Antonio Cassano, Alberto Gilardino, Giampaolo Pazzini and Giuseppe Rossi in attack.
''It's disappointing to drop two players like De Rossi and Balotelli, two really important players, especially De Rossi, who has international experience like nobody else in games like the ones that await us,'' said Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
''I wasn't there when the ethical code was introduced,'' Buffon added, referring to the back injury that kept him out at the start of Prandelli's term. ''These are situations that obviously need to be controlled by the coach, but if there's a code it needs to be respected.''
Center back Andrea Ranocchia and Brazilian-born midfielder Thiago Motta were evaluated by Italy's medical staff for minor physical problems but will stay with the team, despite Inter Milan apparently clamoring for them to return with the derby against AC Milan approaching.
''They're going to try to get back into form,'' Prandelli said. ''Any sort of controversy related to the derby ends here.''
Italy holds a three-point lead over Slovenia at the top of its qualifying group.
''Slovenia is a solid squad that really organizes itself well. I'm worried about their enthusiasm,'' Prandelli said. ''This game is important, even though it's not (decisive).''
Also Monday, Italian officials said they were coordinating a detailed security plan with Slovenian authorities. Italy's last qualifier against Serbia in October was abandoned due to fan violence.
 
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  • Report Abuse turiddhu
    • 3/22/2011 10:02:27 PM
    i write messages and then they disappear like libyans disappear under gheddafi! , anyway in my opinion prandelli is wrong ,because team games and national team games are two different things and should be kept separate from each other, maybe i could understand if they made an infraction under him as coach but not under another coach,what they do then its not his responsability.
    talking about ddr, it is just a joke, it hardly was a foul and definitely did not deserve even a yellow! i see a dozen fouls in every game worse than that go without a wistle,throws an elbow in his life now theyr'e after him like crazy. balotelli just needs to grow up.
  • Report Abuse Zidane510
    • 3/22/2011 11:57:22 AM
    Im not quite sure his conduct code benefits the national side. They're Italians, they're always going to dive... Kidding, but somewhat true. So if Cassano, Gilardino, Matri, Pazzini & Rossi all happen to get red carded with their clubs, Prandelli will have to bring strikers up from Bari?
  • Report Abuse DvdItly
    • 3/21/2011 6:34:34 PM
    Even though he's taking out two of our most talented players i think the message is more important and DDR is my fav player. Good for you Cesare.
  • Report Abuse italiatotti3
    • 3/21/2011 6:20:59 PM
    i blame howard webb for this. Not only did he wringly take mexes off with that red card, that gave roma's spirited energetic attack against Shakhtar a complete hit to the point off ruining their chance of coming through the game as winners, but it frustrated the players enough to let De Rossi lose his head and take a shot at Srna. Webb not only ruined what could have been a good game for Roma there, but now it can play a role for the Azzurri as well. Please do me a favor and someone take out Webb's knees so he cannot run around and ref anymore because he ruins everything he is involved in.
  • Report Abuse kingbaptiste
    • 3/21/2011 5:23:09 PM
    Balotelli does not deserve to be on that team. He is a red card candidate each time he walks onto a pitch. Hopefully he is learning a huge lesson. I am personally tired of looking at his smile-less face. Not what I expected after his move to England. I was his greatest defender. At this point, I think he is a first degree jerk.
  • Report Abuse Diosesdel10
    • 3/21/2011 4:52:36 PM
    BRAVO CESARE!

    Signor Prandelli is SPOT ON with his aim to maintain credibility.

    Besides, he's got plenty of players in attack who are more derserving of a call-up than Balotelli. The boy hasn't done anything in a long time to merit being selected for the Azzuri.

    Matri,Pazzini, and Guiseppe are more than capable forwards, not to mention Gila who is a True Poacher and scores goals galore in any possible way that he can.

    And of course, FANTANTONIO as a secnd striker to play those guys some beautiful balls to allow the 9's and 11's to make themselves Famous.
  • Report Abuse footballsoccer26
    • 3/21/2011 4:50:10 PM
    baloturkey is an idiot and de rossi is just a dirty player, even though he is really good when he's not giving out cheap shots
 
Robben, Janssen out of Dutch squad to play Hungary


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Updated Mar 21, 2011 1:51 PM ET
AMSTERDAM (AP)

Forward Klaas Jan Huntelaar joined winger Arjen Robben and midfielder Theo Janssen in pulling out injured from the Netherlands squad on Monday for two critical European Championship qualifiers with Hungary.
The absence of Huntelaar and Robben seriously limits Dutch attacking options in two matches that will likely decide whether the Netherlands or Hungary tops Group E.

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Huntelaar capitalized on Van Persie being out injured to become the top scorer in Euro 2012 qualifiers with eight goals from four matches. However, Van Persie is fit again and can replace Huntelaar at center forward.
The Schalke forward joined the squad Monday morning at a hotel on the North Sea coast but left just a few hours later after medical staff ruled he had not recovered sufficiently from a knee injury.
Robben, one of coach Bert van Marwijk's most dangerous forwards, has a groin injury while Janssen injured his knee Sunday after scoring both goals in FC Twente's 2-0 defeat of Excelsior.
Van Marwijk called up veteran Hamburg striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and young forwards Luuk de Jong and Jeremain Lens as replacements.
The Netherlands, the World Cup runner-up, leads the group by three points from Hungary ahead of Friday's match in Budapest and the March 29 return game in Amsterdam.
First-choice goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg is out for the season after breaking his right thumb in training with Ajax.



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'Keeper Adler misses Germany games with injury


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Updated Mar 21, 2011 4:57 PM ET
Goalkeeper Rene Adler has pulled out of Germany's upcoming matches against Kazakhstan and Australia with a muscle injury.

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The German football federation said Monday that coach Joachim Loew and goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke decided against calling up a replacement for the 26-year-old Bayer Leverkusen player.
That means Germany will have Schalke's Manuel Neuer, the No. 1 at last year's World Cup, and Werder Bremen's Tim Wiese available in goal.
Germany faces Kazakhstan in a Euro 2012 qualifier in Kaiserslautern on Saturday. It hosts Australia in a friendly in Moenchengladbach next Tuesday.



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  • Report Abuse fussball_fan_1
    • 3/21/2011 8:34:52 PM
    Deutschland ist die beste Mannschaft!!!!!! Germany will dominate at the Euros!!!
  • Report Abuse SpidermanItalia
    • 3/21/2011 7:21:11 PM
    Gotcha Steve....the headline made me think that was the case.
  • Report Abuse Steve_Mannschaft
    • 3/21/2011 6:14:24 PM
    I don't believe Adler was the starter. He is the backup to Neuer. But you are correct about the Mannschaft's depth in goal. It is outstanding. Someday Thomas Kraft may get a call.
  • Report Abuse SpidermanItalia
    • 3/21/2011 5:22:24 PM
    Alot of teams would love to have Germany's GK depth. Neur as your backup? Wow 🙂
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Capello says Ferdinand rejected captaincy meeting


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Updated Mar 19, 2011 7:24 PM ET
LONDON (AP)

England coach Fabio Capello claims Rio Ferdinand rejected a chance to hear why John Terry is being restored as national captain.
Capello planned to explain to Ferdinand at Manchester United's Champions League match against Marseille why Terry has been forgiven for his off-field conduct.

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The 32-year-old Ferdinand didn't play on Tuesday because of a calf injury that could rule him out for the rest of the season. Injuries have restricted the defender to just four England appearances since replacing Terry as captain in February 2010.
''I tried to meet him at the Manchester United-Marseille game,'' Capello said. ''He was ready to meet me but he preferred not to meet us. I don't know ... I hope I will meet him in the future to speak with him personally and privately, not by phone because I think by phone is not so good.''
The 30-year-old Terry was stripped of the captaincy in February 2010 after allegations he had an affair with teammate Wayne Bridge's former girlfriend. The rift led to Bridge quitting international football.
''After what happened, I decided that John Terry, after one year of punishment, will be the permanent captain (again),'' Capello said. ''He understood the mistake and he learnt from his mistakes ... he will be a very important captain for us because when I choose him, I know he is a leader.''
With England playing neighbor Wales in a 2012 European Championship qualifier on March 26, Capello believes the team needs a strong leader like Terry wearing the armband.
''The game against Wales will be a really tough game,'' Capello said. ''The atmosphere, everything, is incredible, and we need a captain with a big personality, a leader. John, also when he played without the armband, was every time a leader on the pitch, a leader in the dressing room. He was really good every time.''
Since it emerged a week ago that Capello wanted to reappoint Terry, his handling of the situation has been widely criticized by English media columnists.
Vice-captain Steven Gerrard will now be No. 3 in the pecking order behind Terry and Ferdinand, Capello said.
England was second in Group G, three points behind leader Montenegro having played one fewer qualifier.



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Evra and Ribery return for France after bans


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Updated Mar 17, 2011 12:22 PM ET
PARIS (AP)

Defender Patrice Evra and winger Franck Ribery were called up to France's squad Thursday for the first time since they were banned for their part in a training ground strike at last year's World Cup.
France coach Laurent Blanc selected them for a 2012 European Championship qualifier at Luxembourg on March 25 and a home friendly against Croatia four days later.
Evra was handed a five-match ban because he was France's captain when the team went on strike at training, while Ribery was banned for three games for his perceived role as a ringleader.

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Both bans expired some time ago but, due to repetitive injuries for Ribery and the form of Barcelona left back Eric Abidal, neither player had been recalled.
Despite constant pressure from French sports minister Chantal Jouanno not to pick Evra or Ribery ever again for France, Blanc now seems to have finally moved on from France's World Cup fiasco.
''Everyone has an opinion, especially about the France team,'' Blanc said. ''If you're not free to make these choices, you can't fulfill the role of this job.''
Blanc had overlooked Evra for last month's friendly match against Brazil, despite his good form for Manchester United, because he said Abidal and Arsenal defender Gael Clichy deserved to be there ahead of him.
Clichy was also included in Blanc's squad. Abidal was due to have an operation on Thursday to remove a liver tumor.
France striker Karim Benzema will be in confident mood leading the attack for both games. The 23-year-old Benzema is in an outstanding patch of form, scoring nine goals in his last seven games for Madrid, including the second goal in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Lyon in the Champions League.
Benzema has also scored in his last three games for France and is finally fulfilling his potential after a tough start to the season, where Madrid coach Jose Mourinho often left him on the bench and Blanc criticized his lack of work rate.
Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri returns after missing the Brazil game through injury. He is one of five Arsenal players in the squad.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)
Defenders: Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Philippe Mexes (AS Roma), Adil Rami (Lille), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Mamadou Sakho (Paris Saint-Germain)
Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Yoann Gourcuff (Lyon), Yann M'Vila (Rennes), Samir Nasri (Arsenal), Florent Malouda (Chelsea)
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kevin Gameiro (Lorient), Guillaume Hoarau (Paris Saint-Germain), Jeremy Menez (AS Roma), Loic Remy (Marseille), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)



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