Red card puts Vieira out for French clash with Ireland

FRANCE will be without captain Patrick Vieira for next month’s Group Four World Cup Qualifier against the Republic of Ireland.

The Arsenal skipper was shown two yellow cards by Scottish referee Craig Thomson in France’s 2-0 win over the Faroe Islands in Torhsavn.

The Arsenal skipper was called aside in the 55th minute after falling to the ground in the box but replays appeared to show he was kicked in the process.

He cut an unhappy figure as he handed the captain’s armband to Thierry Henry, who was to hand it on to Robert Pires a few minutes later when he was replaced by Vikash Dhorasoo.

Vieira reflected: “As he gave me the yellow card the referee realised it was my second one, he had to send me off. But the other player touched me.”