Benzema gets Les Bleus reprieve

Madrid striker gets the nod for upcoming WCQs

Last updated: 1st October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Benzema gets Les Bleus reprieve

Benzema: Controversial comments

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France coach Raymond Domenech will give a second chance to Karim Benzema, despite the striker's recent comments.

Benzema admitted in September that he had not really felt like playing in Les Bleus' World Cup qualifying match against Serbia and said he struggled to give his all during the game.

There was speculation that the 21-year-old would not be included in Domenech's squad for the upcoming games against the Faroe Islands and Austria, but the under pressure boss has decided to offer him a reprieve.

"You can't say that at this level," said Domenech. "He has the right to think that a bit, that can cross his mind, but he does not have the right to say it, nor to do it. That is unacceptable.

"However, I can extend my hand to someone when they make a mistake. That's the case in this situation.

"He's young, he has talent, a good future. I'm not going to condemn anyone for a comment. The pitch is the only answer which counts.

"I'm very optimistic for him. He understood that he has to concentrate and he has a desire to be part of this team.

"We will discuss this, it's important to. But I prefer to have him in front of me and to talk about it. It's better than a phone call which doesn't help anything."

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