Domenech ignores Zidane’s plea to recall fit-again Vieira for play-off

FRANCE coach Raymond Domenech has ignored the pleas of Zinedine Zidane and refused to pick his fit-again captain Patrick Vieira for the World Cup qualifying play-off against Ireland on November 14.

Domenech also made his trademark surprise selection by calling up the uncapped Lyon full-back Aly Cissokho, while up front Nice youngster Loic Remy replaces Bafetimbi Gomis.

But it was a player who won’t be facing Ireland who overshadowed Domenech’s squad announcement, with the decision that Vieira, who last turned out for France in a friendly back in June ­ but has not played a competitive match since a Euro 2008 qualifier in September 2007 ­ misses out. “We need a player with Pat’s experience and leadership skills for these crucial matches,” Zidane had said yesterday morning.

But Domenech, not for the first time, had his own opinion.

“Nothing pleases me more than seeing him get back to his best level, but we weighed up the pros and cons and it was a mixture of things (which led to the decision),” he said.

“I hope he plays regularly at the World Cup. He brings a lot of ability and experience.”

The French coach warned his players of Ireland’s threat and insisted there would be no complacency in the camp before the two matches.

“We know their characteristics, they are fundamentally good players and they have that special spirit,” he said. “We don’t take them lightly – after all, they also want to reach the World Cup.”

Domenech revealed he asked Italy boss Marcello Lippi about Ireland’s strengths and weaknesses when the pair met at the San Siro for AC Milan’s Champions League game against Real Madrid this week.

“I asked him about it but he didn’t want to tell me, as he didn’t want Trapattoni to hear him.”

Trap, it turned out, was standing just a few metres away from the two men.

And though Domenech has a stormy past against Italian opposition, who beat his side in the 2006 World Cup and in Euro 2008 (not to mention the controversial U21 2000 Olympics qualifier which led to his fall-out with Marco Tardelli), he said that revenge would not be his motivation this time around.

“Not at all: on the pitch it’s France versus Ireland, 11 against 11. It’s never the managers who play, there won’t be any problems.”

He even tried to draw a line under his ongoing row with Tardelli by promising he would shake the Italian’s hand when they meet next week.

“I’ll shake anyone’s hand. I’m not angry with anyone,” he grinned.

But it would not have been a true Domenech press conference had it been lacking some eccentric quips and true to form, the coach delivered, claiming that he had picked Cissokho, a full-back who only 18 months ago was playing in France’s Ligue 2, over Bordeaux’s Benoit Tremoulinas, “on alphabetical order”.

He then back-tracked. “They are at the same level but I needed someone to cover for the injury to Gael Clichy.”

Cissokho, who turned down Senegal to remain available for France, was surprised by the selection. “I have always dreamt of playing for France and it’s a great reward for my work since the start of the season. It proves that I made the right choice to come here, and in the France side I will find many Lyon team-mates who will support me.’’

Cissokho may yet get a chance to play given that three of France’s defenders ­ William Gallas, Patrice Evra and Eric Abidal ­ go into the first game one booking away from a suspension.

“We had to double up in every position,” said Domenech.

“We don’t know what will happen in each match, so we have two players for every position.”

Two of those players, though, won’t be arriving until Wednesday as Real Madrid are expected to field Karim Benzema and Lassana Diarra in Tuesday night’s Copa del Rey tie against Alcorcon.

Madrid are hoping to overturn a 4-0 first leg defeat and Domenech will be praying the pair will avoid injury.

France squad: C Carrasso (Bordeaux), H Lloris, S Mandanda (Marseille), E Abidal (Barcelona), A Cissokho (Lyon), P Evra (Man Utd), J Escude (Sevilla), R Fanni (Rennes), W Gallas (Arsenal), B Sagna (Arsenal), S Squillaci (Sevilla), A Diaby (Arsenal), A Diarra (Bordeaux), L Diarra (Real Madrid), Y Gourcuff (Bordeaux), M Sissoko (Toulouse), J Toulalan (Lyon), N Anelka (Chelsea), K Benzema (Real Madrid), A Gignac (Toulouse), S Govou (Lyon), T Henry (Barcelona), F Malouda (Chelsea), L Remy (Nice).