Ribéry Called-Up for World Cup Qualifier But No Place for Patrick Vieira

Raymond Domenech has named a 22-man squad for France’s upcoming World Cup Qualifying match against the Faroe Islands next Wednesday.

Franck Ribéry has been included in the squad despite severe doubts as to his fitness. The Bayern Munich winger missed last weekend’s Audi Cup and has been suffering from tendinitis in his left knee for much of pre-season and he will remain a doubtful starter for the match in spite of this inclusion in the squad.

Domenech sprung another surprise by omitting captain Patrick Vieira from the squad altogether. Vieira started only ten matches in Serie A for Inter last season and has yet to feature in France’s World Cup Qualifying campaign but was eventually recalled by Domenech for the end-of-season friendlies against Nigeria and Turkey in June.

However, no place has been found for the national captain this time and Domenech has gone on record stating that Vieira will need to get back playing games to prove himself worthy of inclusion at international level.  

Young Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko has effectively been included in Vieira’s place. This represents the nineteen years old’s first call-up for the senior side after several matches at Under-21 level.

Sissoko has been quoted on the French Football Federation’s website describing the call-up as “a bit of a surprise, but a very nice one” and also spoke of his excitement at the opportunity to train and play with his role models like Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka.

Arsenal’s William Gallas returns to the national set-up after recovering from a ligament injury in his right knee. However, club teammate Gael Clichy is not selected despite appearing in both matches at last weekend’s Emirates Cup.

Jean-Alain Boumsong and Phillipe Mexes also miss out at the back having made the previous squad last June.

Sidney Govou and Samir Nasri (injured) also miss out and there are no changes in attack with Andre-Pierre Gignac and Loic Rémy both included in the squad.

Patrice Evra was today reported in L’Equipe issuing a note of caution ahead of the trip to Faroe Islands stressing the importance of “not thinking ahead to September” when France will take on Romania and Serbia and stating that next week’s match will “not be as easy as that”.

France currently trail group-leaders Serbia by eight points but have two games in hand which they play before Serbia are next in action.

France Squad to face Faroe Islands

Goalkeepers: Carrasso (Bordeaux), Lloris (Lyon), Mandanda (Marseille)

Defenders:  Abidal (Barcelona), Escudé (Seville), Evra (Manchester United), Fanni (Rennes), Gallas (Arsenal), Sagna (Arsenal), Squillaci (Seville)

Midfielders:  A. Diarra (Bordeaux), L. Diarra (Real Madrid), Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Malouda (Chelsea), Sissoko (Toulouse), Toulalan (Lyon)

Forwards:  Anelka (Chelsea), Benzema (Real Madrid), Gignac (Toulouse), Henry (Barcelona), Rémy (Nice), Ribéry (Bayern Munich)