• 'Surprising' to leave Ferdinand out of England Euro 2012 squad
• Blanc still considering own team for France v England match
The France coach Laurent Blanc believes Rio Ferdinand was left out of the England Euro 2012 squad for reasons other than football, he said on Thursday.
"From afar, I do not think it was a decision based on sport," Blanc said, ahead of his side meeting England in their Group D opening European Championship match on Monday.
Blanc, who played with injury-prone Ferdinand for Manchester United in 2002-03, said the decision to omit him was "surprising".
England's manager, Roy Hodgson, left out the experienced central defender from his original 23-man squad, citing a "footballing decision". He snubbed Ferdinand again when Gary Cahill was ruled out, calling up Liverpool's reserve right-back Martin Kelly instead.
Critics have said Ferdinand has been dropped because of tensions with fellow central defender John Terry, who has been picked but faces a court case next month after being charged with racially abusing Ferdinand's brother Anton.
The Chelsea captain has pleaded not guilty over the alleged incident in a match against Queens Park Rangers.
Looking at his own squad, Blanc is still unsure of the best team to face England on Monday.
France's recent 4-0 win against Estonia, the third straight victory in the warmup games, confirmed they can be a force to be reckoned with in attack at Euro 2012. But some glaring defensive lapses left Blanc frustrated.
Although Blanc defended the centre-back Philippe Mexès, notably denying that the Milan defender is overweight, Mexès's place appears to be under threat after playing France into trouble against Estonia.
The Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra and Manchester City attacking midfielder Samir Nasri are the other players facing competition for their starting spots.
Blanc said: "It will come down to one or two places." Read More
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.
