Pires unfazed by France exclusion

Robert Pires “was expecting” to be dropped by France but he has no plans to retire from international football.

The Arsenal winger was omitted from the French squad for next week’s friendly with Poland after fiercely criticising Les Bleus boss Raymond Domenech although the coach claimed he made his decision purely on tactical grounds.

“It was a logical choice and I was expecting it,” said Pires. “By all accounts before talking about other things my current performances are not satisfactory. From that point on it is normal not to be called up.”

Asked if he was relieved that Domenech had not dropped him because of his outburst, Pires said: “Not relieved because I was not unsettled.

“On the contrary I note with satisfaction that Raymond Domenech gave me the right to express myself which has pleased me because I am sure he did not like what I said.

“I am speaking honestly and not with malice. I was not insulting nor was I impolite. I am surprised so many people made so much of it.”

Asked to defend his remarks when he accused Domenech of making the players nervous, Pires said: “I did not attack the coach. I just made it clear that we are not getting on that well.

“Throughout my career people have told me I was too nice and the one time I speak out they tell me to shut up. I do not understand it.”

Pires has also been in hot water for wearing Puma kit when the France team’s sponsor is adidas and has been summoned by the French Football Federation to give his version of events.

“The directors want explanations and they will get them,” he said. “I made an accidental mistake but I’m also amazed at the consequences.”

Fellow 1998 French World Cup winners Zinedine Zidane, Lilian Thuram, Bixente Lizarazu and Marcel Desailly quit after Euro 2004 while Claude Makelele, not involved with that triumph, has also stood down from the national side but Pires insists he is not about to join them.

“Never,” he said. “I still want to play for France. I could stop and say ‘I have won the World Cup, Euro 2000 and two Confederations Cups. I cannot do any better than that but I still enjoy playing (for the national side). There is not a problem.”

Asked if he planned to talk to Domenech, Pires said: “He has other things to do rather than talk to me at the moment.

“He must prepare for the match. We will see each other the day I am picked for France again. If I deserve to be.”