REDS ON FRENCH DUTY

Last updated : 14 May 2004 By Editor
Manchester United duo Mickael Silvestre and Louis Saha have been included in Jacques Santini's France squad for their friendly match against Brazil at the Stade de France on May 20.

This means that Mikael Silvestre will have to play in France just a couple of days before the FA Cup Final in Cardiff. Thanks again Mr. Blatter.

The Guardian reports that United are not going to release Silvestre for a meaningless friendly to celebrate FIFA's centenary. A FIFA spokesman thinks differently though "Fifa are very aware of the FA Cup final and all the traditions it involves but the centenary celebrations happen only once in 100 years. We would hope there would be no need for a major row over this and that a compromise could be reached in an amicable way."

Yes, surely there are other centre backs in France. There's one compromise for starters.