Franck Ribery has been accused of of soliciting sex
with an underage prostitute.
France's Minister for Health and Sports, Roselyne Bachelot, has
renewed her opposition to the continued selection of Franck Ribery
and Karim Benzema in the national team.
The pair are currently under judicial investigation on suspicion
of soliciting sex with an underage prostitute, but new France coach
Laurent Blanc has reassured them the door remains open for future
selection.
Bachelot was an outspoken critic of former coach Raymond
Domenech's World Cup squad both during and after their dreadful
campaign in South Africa, which ended in acrimonious infighting
after Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka was thrown out of the
squad.
And she has been consistent in her opposition to Ribery and
Benzema's inclusion - although she has pledged not to directly
intervene.
She told Europe 1: "I respect what Laurent Blanc will
do. These men are innocent (until proven guilty) but it makes it
very difficult if someone under investigation can be selected in
the France team.
"I will not set out a process - I will simply say that there is
the judiciary procedure on one side and the France team on
another."
Blanc said last Wednesday: "You have to respect the presumption
of innocence, and the interest of the France team has to be
fundamental. Ribery and Benzema are among the players who are
potentially very influential in the team."
Blanc suspended the entire World Cup squad for next week's
friendly against Norway after their dismal performances and
training-ground mutiny in South Africa, meaning Ribery will
automatically be excluded from the match.
Benzema, though, was a surprise exclusion from Domenech's 23-man
party and the Real Madrid man can reasonably expect to be included
in the group which travels to Oslo.