In Brazil, another generation of France’s mix of ‘black, blanc, beur’ (black, white, Arab) will try to unite the country through football, writes Eoin O’Callaghan.

Controversial former France coach Raymond Domenech has labelled Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery a ‘‘diva’’ who he “would have gladly strung him up’’ and revealed the depth of his hatred for several of his other former players.

A is for Arshavin: The diminutive little playmaker lit up this tournament four years ago, tormenting a fine Dutch side and inspiring Russia to a place in the semi-finals.

“I stopped watching the Arsenal game when it was 2-2,” France coach Laurent Blanc confessed on Sunday evening, proving yet again that managers can be worse than fans when it comes to judging how a game is going.

New France coach Laurent Blanc has taken the decision to suspend the entire 23-man squad which took part in this summer’s failed World Cup campaign for next month’s friendly against Norway.

Laurent Blanc has expressed his pride after being unveiled as France coach this morning.

THE French Football Federation plan to elect a replacement on an interim basis for departing president Jean-Pierre Escalettes on July 23.

Former France defender Lilian Thuram has announced his retirement from football.

FORMER France defender Lilian Thuram admits his career is hanging in the balance after medical tests revealed he is suffering from a heart problem.

MARRIAGE may be in the offing for Raymond Domenech, but his divorce from France’s national team should be finalised in the coming weeks after their abject showing at Euro 2008.

Lilian Thuram joined France team-mate Claude Makelele in retiring from international football after Les Bleus’ elimination from Euro 2008.

France 0 Italy 2

France and Italy walk out for their trans-Alpine clash at Zurich’s Letzigrund tonight knowing their Euro 2008 fate lies in the hands of Romania.

Netherlands 4 France 1

PATRICK VIEIRA returned to training with the rest of the France squad yesterday as he steps up his bid to be fit for Euro 2008.

Barcelona 1 Schalke 0 (Barcelona win 2-0 on aggregate)

France’s Arsenal defender William Gallas is relishing the rivalry which will inevitably prevail in this week’s friendly against England in Paris.

Can Inter be caught? Just before Christmas when they beat Milan there were few who thought so, but a 0-0 draw against Udinese yesterday cut their lead to five points, providing a glimmer of hope for the chasing group, above all Roma.

CHELSEA winger Florent Malouda has launched a bitter attack on the club over the way they have treated him since he joined from Lyon for £13m in the summer.

Rangers 0 Barcelona 0

A GOAL-SCORING cameo from defender Carles Puyol put Barcelona on their way to their second Champions League victory of the season to inflict Stuttgart’s second defeat.

Barcelona head coach Frank Rijkaard has confirmed that Thierry Henry will play a part in the club’s pre-season matches against Dundee United and Hearts.

Barcelona are ready to make another approach for Arsenal striker Thierry Henry if the Frenchman indicates his desire to leave England.

Liverpool reached the Champions League quarter-finals as Barcelona lost their European crown on a thrilling night at Anfield.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez stuck with exactly the same side that produced such a shock result in the Nou Camp a fortnight ago.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has recalled playmaker Deco and defender Lilian Thuram for tomorrow's Champions League last-16 second leg with Liverpool at Anfield.

MANCHESTER United left-back Patrice Evra has been recalled to the France squad by Raymond Domenech.

Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra has been recalled to the France squad by Raymond Domenech.

Barcelona’s Ronaldinho has been named FifPro’s player of the year for the second successive season.

FIFA have joined forces with FIFPro, the International Federation of Professional Footballers, in a move which will give the players an official voice in decision-making.

THREE England players feature on the 30-man shortlist for FIFA’s World Player of the Year award.

Gary Caldwell fired Scotland to a famous victory over France and gave their hopes of qualifying for the European Championships a massive shot in the arm.

CHELSEA claim unhappy French defender William Gallas threatened to score an own goal and refused to play for the club before he was sold to Arsenal as part of the deal which took Ashley Cole to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea claim unhappy French defender William Gallas sensationally threatened to score an own goal and refused to play for the club before he was sold to Arsenal as part of the deal which took Ashley Cole to Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho has been hit with a fresh blast from coach Raymond Domenech and defender Lilian Thuram as France refuse to back down in the row over the selection of midfielder Claude Makelele.

Lilian Thuram claims it was inappropriate of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to claim Claude Makelele has been treated as a “slave” by France.

MICHAEL BALLACK has been included in Germany’s 20-man squad for their first two Euro 2008 qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and San Marino.

Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has admitted he is only staying at the club because they were relegated to Serie B this summer.

FRANCE coach Raymond Domenech has restored Patrick Vieira to the captaincy following the retirement of Zinedine Zidane.

INTER Milan have completed the signing of former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira from Juventus for £6.5m.

Manchester United must move quickly if they decide to try to sign Patrick Vieira as he looks set to complete his switch to Inter Milan from Juventus this week.

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has hinted he could join old rivals Manchester United as he desperately attempts to escape Italy’s Serie B.

READING manager Steve Coppell has told Royals fans worried by a lack of new signings that opening the chequebook is not always the best policy.

THE lawyer representing Juventus at the appeals trial in Italy’s match-fixing scandal pleaded for leniency yesterday, saying that last week’s decision by a sports tribunal to relegate the club to the second division with a 30-point penalty would have “devastating consequences”.