Pires issues World Cup warning

Robert Pires fears many French players will boycott this summer’s World Cup if far right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen wins this weekend’s presidential election.

The Arsenal winger has already been ruled out of making the trip to Japan and South Korea because of a knee injury.

And he believes the political situation across the Channel could give France coach Roger Lemerre more cause for concern.

‘‘Of course we don’t want it to happen, but if the extreme right were to win the general election I think more than several players would refuse to take part in the World Cup,’’ Pires told Sky Sports.

‘‘We are French but the team’s roots are from everywhere, so it would make it an impossibility to play for your country if France is governed by the far right.

‘‘As players we have the responsibility to show people that they must react to this threat quickly. I urge everyone to vote for Jacques Chirac.’’