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Flamini and Cisse axed from France squad

28/05/2008

France head coach Raymond Domenech has dropped Mathieu Flamini and Djibril Cisse from his 23-man squad to travel to this summer's European Championships.

Flamini recently left Arsenal on a free transfer in order to join AC Milan at the end of his contract this summer.

He was expected to be rewarded with a place in the squad, at the very least, after enjoying a superb season at the heart of the Gunners midfield.

But Domenech has opted for another former Arsenal man, Portsmouth's Lassana Diarra, ahead of Flamini with the experienced heads of Chelsea's Claude Makelele and Inter Milan's Patrick Vieira.

Lyon holding player Jeremy Toulalan and Marseilles playmaker Samir Nasri complete the midfield lineup.

Up front, Domenech has gone with his tried and trusted options with Nicolas Anelka, Thierry Henry and Karim Benzema, with St Etienne striker Bafetimbi Gomis selected ahead of Cisse.

Other players with English connections included in the squad are Arsenal captain William Gallas, Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra, Chelsea winger Florent Malouda and former Newcastle United centre-back Jean-Alain Boumsong, now with Lyon.

Full 23-man France squad for Euro 2008:

Goalkeepers
Gregory Coupet
Sebastien Frey
Steve Mandanda
Defenders
Eric Abidal
Jean-Alain Boumsong
Francois Clerc
Patrice Evra
William Gallas
Willy Sagnol
Sebastien Squillaci
Lilian Thuram
Midfielders
Lassana Diarra
Claude Makelele
Samir Nasri
Jeremy Toulalan
Patrick Vieira
Attackers
Nicolas Anelka
Karim Benzema
Bafetimbi Gomis
Sidney Govou
Florent Malouda
Thierry Henry
Franck Ribery