Barthez travel threat

FRENCH goalkeeper Fabien Barthez has said he may not travel with France to Israel, due to concerns about security, and the Marseilles player will make up his mind about travelling after the France-Switzerland game.

Yesterday Barthez said he had decided to end his career as a professional footballer in 2006.

“In 2006 my contract with Marseille will finish. I’ll be 35 years and that’s enough,” said the former Manchester United goalkeeper. And the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winner said that he did not intend to be associated with the game afterwards.

“I don’t want to stay in the milieu of football,” he said. “I like it less and less, it’s becoming more and more rotten. Football has changed I don’t like it any more.”

Barthez was first called up to the French team against Australia in May 1994. His 73 caps making him the longest serving French goalkeeper.

He admitted he was not happy with next week’s World Cup qualifying trip to Israel. “When I see all that is happening it really worries me enormously to go there. I would have liked that the match took place elsewhere. I’m not at all happy.”

France host Switzerland on March 26 and play Israel in Tel-Aviv on March 30.