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France suspend World Cup squad

The decision was taken during a meeting of the FFF's Federal council on the recommendation of new coach Laurent Blanc.

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France's ignominious departure from South Africa followed a players' boycott of a training session in support of striker Nicolas Anelka, who was sent home for insulting coach Raymond Domenech.

The FFF's council was also expected to discuss the positions of playmaker Franck Ribery and striker Karim Benzema, who are under judicial investigation on suspicion of solliciting sex with an under-age prostitute.

"Personally, I'm convinced that people who play for the national team have to be absolutely clean but I'll have to discuss the matter with Laurent Blanc. I shall respect his wishes and the general interest," he said.

"It's a tricky problem. We discussed it but the only thing I can say is that Domenech will be summoned in the next few days and if he wants to resign, I shall not object," Duchaussoy said.

Duchaussoy said the council fully approved Blanc's proposal to omit all 23 players selected by the French Federation for the World Cup.

He said heavier sanctions against the leaders of the team's mutiny in Knysna, where the players refused to train two days before their last group game, would depend on the result of an inquiry already ordered by Escalettes.

"I will just have to accept that." he was quoted as saying on the website of the Norwegian broadcaster TV2 (www.tv2.no).

"I think they have many good, young teams. I am sure the players who will come will be hungry and looking for revenge,"

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