Global Sport

Simoes said he was angry because a local newspaper reported his 220,000 salary last week. His salary is paid by private companies sponsoring the team.

quot;To print my salary was in poor taste,quot; the 45-year-old Simoes said in a written statement. quot;I have no intentions of renewing my contract with this country8217;s money.quot; The contract expires in October.

Ba, Anelka overlooked by Jacquet

CLAIREFONTAINE FRANCE: AC Milan8217;s Ibrahim Ba and Arsenal teenager Nicolas Anelka were among six players axed yesterday when French coach Aime Jacquet announced his squad for the World Cup.

Jacquet8217;s squad of 22 players included seven from Italy8217;s Serie A, four from England8217;s Premier League, one from Spain, one from Germany and nine home-based players.

Among theplayers called up were Zinedine Zidane, of Juventus, Inter Milan8217;s Youri Djorkaeff, Monaco goalkeeper Fabien Barthez and Marseille8217;s Laurent Blanc all of whom, barring injury, are certain to be the backbone of the team.

There were also call-ups for Arsenal midfield duo Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit, Chelsea8217;s Frank Leboeuf, and defender Bixente Lizarazu of Bayern Munich.

Johansson8217;s backers voice concern

NYON SWITZERLAND: Backers of Uefa president Lennart Johansson8217;s bid to become the president of world soccer8217;s governing body Fifa yesterday voiced dismay that France was backing his opponent Sepp Blatter.

quot;I am disappointed about this disloyal act of the French FA,quot; said Italian Fifa vice-president Antonio Matarrese, a member of Johansson8217;s supporting board.

Blatter, Fifa8217;s general secretary, has enlisted the support of Michel Platini, considered France8217;s finest ever player and co-chairman of the World Cup.

quot;That made backing the Blatter-Platini ticket historically logical,quot; saidClaude Simonet, the French Football Federation8217;s president. Simonet was due to confirm the decision at the FFF8217;s general assembly later yesterday.