French duo in firing line again

FRANCE'S Minister for Health and Sports Roselyne Bachelot has renewed her opposition to the continued selection of Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema in the national team.

The pair are currently under judicial investigation on suspicion of soliciting sex with an underage prostitute but new France coach Laurent Blanc has reassured them the door remains open for future selection.

Bachelot was an outspoken critic of former coach Raymond Domenech's World Cup squad both during and after their abysmal campaign in South Africa, and she has been consistent in her opposition to Ribery and Benzema's inclusion despite pledging not to make a personal intervention.

She said: "I respect what Laurent Blanc will do. These men are innocent (until proven guilty) but it makes it very difficult if someone under investigation can be selected in the France team."

Blanc suspended the entire World Cup squad for next week's friendly against Norway after their dismal performances and training-ground mutiny in South Africa, meaning Ribery will automatically be excluded from the match.

Benzema, though, was a surprise exclusion from Domenech's 23-man World Cup party and is likely to be in the group which travels to Oslo.