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France's World Cup squad suspended for next match

There was little harmony in the camp during France's World Cup campaign © Getty Images

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New France coach Laurent Blanc has taken the decision to suspend the entire 23-man squad which took part in this summer's failed World Cup campaign for next month's friendly against Norway.

Les Bleus' campaign ended in failure and controversy, as they managed only one point and one goal from three games in Group A and were left in disarray when the squad refused to train two days before their final game against hosts South Africa.

A number of senior figures had called for sanctions against the perceived ringleaders of the protest - but Blanc proposed to exclude the whole party at a meeting with the French Football Federation's (FFF) federal council, who ratified the decision.

A statement on the FFF website read: ''Laurent Blanc was heard this Friday, July 23 by the Federal Council which he presented his staff and his sporting project. He also proposed to the Federal Council, which agreed to retain for the friendly Norway-France, Wednesday, August 11 in Oslo, none of 23 players selected by the official French Football Federation for World Cup South Africa.''

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has admitted the decision of the squad to strike during the World Cup was ''completely stupid''.

''We acted as a team,'' Lloris told L'Equipe. ''To strike was the decision of a squad who felt lonely, who believed that no-one had stood up for them and who had a message to convey. We went too far. It was a very awkward decision, a big mistake. It was completely stupid. But there were so many problems.''

Lloris has now vowed to work with his team-mates to help repair the damage.

''We all want to improve the image of Les Bleus,'' he said. ''We must make all possible effort, give everything. It's important for us. We must go back to basics - respect for the jersey, of course, the team and the institution of France.

''There are generations rich in potential and a new coach. It must start with a good foundation. We have a great desire that what happened in South Africa should not happen again, that there should be no self-destruction like that any more.''

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