’Keepers war affecting French preparations

FRANCE’S third-choice goalkeeper Mickael Landreau claims he is not taking sides in the rift between first-choice Fabien Barthez and number two Gregory Coupet, but admits Les Bleus are still talking about it.

Landreau, who has just moved from Nantes to Paris St Germain, is unlikely to play in the World Cup, but admits the bust-up between Coupet and coach Raymond Domenech, at the Alpine resort of Tignes last week, has had its effect.

Coupet was already dismayed that Barthez had been installed as number one but when 34-year-old Barthez refused to complete a mountain climb with his team-mates, and then chose to eat alone, the Lyon shot-stopper blew his top.