France facing left-right problem

“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.” Le Pen stunned France by edging out Socialist Prime Minister Lionel Jospin to finish second to conservative incumbent Chirac and qualify for Sunday’s run-off.

Political leaders from left to right have urged voters to back Chirac as a way of keeping Le Pen’s vote to a minimum.

“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,” said Pires. The French national soccer team that lifted the 1998 World Cup on home soil included eight non-indigenous players. Pires, who plays for English premier league Arsenal, has already been ruled out of the World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan because of a knee injury.

Ecuador name maiden squad to finals

Ecuador has named the 23 players who will represent them at their first finals as they became the first South American country to decide on their squad for the tournament in Japan and South Korea.

Ecuador have one of the world’s most settled teams and there were no surprises as coach Hernan Dario Gomez named his squad on Thursday, 19 days before the final FIFA deadline.

Gomez, a Colombian who led his own country at France ’98,stuck by the players who took Ecuador through the South American World Cup campaign.

McManaman may still make it to the finals

London: Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman may still force his way into the England squad after a series of good displays at club level and some positive comments from the national coach.

McManaman hasn’t figured for his country since last October’s final qualifying match against Greece when he came on as a substitute in the 2-2 draw that booked England’s passage to the finals. However, national coach Sven-Goran Eriksson revealed that he had watched McManaman help his club reach the Champions League final and that he was still in his thoughts.

Karembeu out of finals with a niggling injury

French midfielder Christian Karembeu will not feature in the defending champions squad for the finals because of a groin injury. “I’m out and I respect the coach’s decision,” he told sports daily L’Equipe.

The Olympiakos player suffered the injury during last week’s the Greek Cup final. Karembeu said French manager Roger Lemerre had called up Bayern Munich’s Willy Sagnol to replace him as he did not want to take any chances so close to the competition.