LOADED with glamour teams, the Confederations Cup has few friends outside FIFA. The tournament, a warm up for next year’s World Cup in Germany, prevents weary players from taking a summer break.

Manchester City forward Nicolas Anelka claims there is no dispute between him and France coach Raymond Domenech.

France coach Raymond Domenech today revealed how Nicolas Anelka’s international career would remain on hold for the foreseeable future.

France coach Jacques Santini is going back to the future in his bid to end his career with the national team on a winning note by successfully defending their European title.

FRANCE coach Jacques Santini is determined to avoid a repeat of the opening-match hoodoo which derailed Les Bleus at the 2002 World Cup in Korea.

France players have given their backing to Jacques Santini’s decision to join Tottenham after Euro 2004.

France coach Jacques Santini revealed he chose to join Tottenham after the French Football Federation refused to extend his contract with Les Bleus.

Monaco boss Didier Deschamps returns to his former club Chelsea on Wednesday with the plaudits of his fellow coaches ringing in his ears and lucrative job offers reportedly in his in-tray.

Former England coaches Glenn Hoddle and Howard Wilkinson are among six candidates being considered to coach South Africa in their 2006 World Cup campaign.

Tunisia 2 Morocco 1

Tunisia 1 Nigeria 1 (aet Tunisia win 5-3 on pens)

THE AFRICAN Nations Cup begins tomorrow without two of its perennial contenders as well as a clutch of big-name players.

Jacques Santini has saluted Arsenal striker Thierry Henry for showing resolve and bouncing back from his disappointing France 98 to become one of the world’s greatest players.

Manchester City striker Nicolas Anelka will be free to play against Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Saturday after the Football Association turned down a request from their French counterparts to suspend him.

Leeds midfielder Olivier Dacourt has admitted he could leave Elland Road unless he is able work his way into Terry Venables’ plans.

THE battle over the appointment of France's new national coach drags on a month after their World Cup humiliation, but the shortlist to replace axed Roger Lemerre has come down to three names.

THE battle over the appointment of France’s new national coach drags on a month after their World Cup humiliation, but the shortlist to replace axed Roger Lemerre has come down to three names.

Roger Lemerre has been sacked as France manager following his side's dismal performance at the World Cup.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger supports the call for a shorter Premiership season - but stresses players would have to take a pay cut.

Japan’s hopes of World Cup glory came to an end as the co-hosts bade a fond sayonara on an ignominiously wet, grey afternoon.

Japan’s hopes of World Cup glory came to an end as the co-hosts bade a fond sayonara on an ignominiously wet, grey afternoon.

Roger Lemerre will decide if he is to remain France coach after being given a vote of confidence by the French Football Federation.

France coach Roger Lemerre conceded his star-studded Les Bleus had only themselves to blame after they failed to clear the first hurdle of the World Cup’s group stage.

France 0 Denmark 2

France 0 Denmark 2

France maestro Zinedine Zidane’s team-mates are ready to share his workload and run some of his errands for him if he returns for tomorrow’s all-important World Cup clash with Denmark.

France maestro Zinedine Zidane’s team-mates are ready to share his workload and run some of his errands for him if he returns for tomorrow’s all-important World Cup clash with Denmark.

France defender Philippe Christanval will be given his competitive debut for the world champions in their make or break Group A clash against Denmark tomorrow.

France 0

France are clinging on to the World Cup by their fingertips after their 10 men were held to a goalless draw by Uruguay in the Asiad Stadium.

France are clinging on to the World Cup by their fingertips after their 10 men were held to a goalless draw by Uruguay in the Asiad Stadium.

Senegal midfielder Khalilou Fadiga is hoping he and his team-mates can match the performance that brought a shock victory over holders France when they tackle Denmark in Daegu today.

France are prepared to gamble on Zinedine Zidane's fitness as they attempt to save their World Cup campaign from disaster.

Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was sent off in France’s do-or-die World Cup clash with Uruguay for a lunging tackle on Marcelo Romero.

FRANCE are prepared to gamble on Zinedine Zidane’s fitness as they attempt to save their World Cup campaign from disaster.

World Cup defending champions are prepared to gamble on Zinedine Zidane’s fitness as they attempt to save their World Cup campaign from disaster following their opening-game defeat against Senegal.

French midfielder Youri Djorkaeff could join Zinedine Zidane on the sidelines for the champion’s game with Uruguay on Thursday.

DAVID TREZEGUET has hit back at criticism from Marcel Desailly after the France captain reacted angrily to the striker’s claim that he had been starved of service in the 1-0 defeat to Senegal.

John Dahl Tomasson continued the best season of his professional career by scoring both Denmark goals in an impressive 2-1 win over Uruguay in Ulsan

John Dahl Tomasson continued the best season of his professional career by scoring both Denmark goals in an impressive 2-1 win over Uruguay in Ulsan

John Dahl Tomasson continued the best season of his professional career by scoring both Denmark goals in an impressive 2-1 win over Uruguay in Ulsan