Eric Cantona accuses Didier Deschamps of racial discrimination for leaving out Karim Benzema and Ben Arfa
Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has shockingly accused France manager Didier Deschamps of racism. Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa failed to make the final cut for France’s Euro squad. Benzema was left out for a blackmail scandal with national team-mate Mathieu Valbuena while Ben Arfa has not made the cut despite some amazing performances with Nice this season.
Cantona made some very surprsing statements about the two forwards exclusion from Euro 2016 squad:
"One thing is certain: Benzema and Ben Arfa are two of the best players in France and they won't be playing in the competition," the former Manchester United forward said.
"Of course, their origins are North African, so the debate is open.
"Deschamps is a truly French name and he's probably the only one in France to have a really French name.
"Nobody in his family can have mixed with anyone, just like the Mormons in the United States."
Cantona and Deschamps have never seen eye to eye and Cantona has even previously called the French manager as a 'vulgar water carrier'. The former Manchester United player has never been short of controversy both on and off the pitch.
The claims from Cantona seem to be a direct and vile attack on Deschamps as there is no reliable evidence to accuse the French manager of a serious charge like racism.
Deschamps to sue Eric Cantona over racism allegation
Deschamps has not taken the serious accusations lying down and is planning to sue Eric Cantona for defaming him. The French manager has instructed his lawyer to take legal action against Cantona.
Lawyer Carlos Brusa told L’Equipe: "I will initiate action before the civil and criminal courts to punish these slanderous and defamatory comments that infringe impermissibly on Mr Deschamps' integrity." Cantona might face a stern court sentence if he is found guilty of fabricating these claims against Deschamps.
France are one of the favourites to win the Euros and Deschamps will be hoping that this incident does not distract his men.
Here is the full 23 man squad along with the players on standby:
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Benoit Costil (Rennes)
Defenders: Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Manchester City), Jeremy Mathieu (Barcelona), Patrice Evra (Juventus), Bacary Sagna (Manchester City), Christophe Jallet (Lyon), Lucas Digne (Roma)
Midfielders: Paul Pogba (Juventus), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Lassana Diarra (Marseille), N'Golo Kante (Leicester), Yohan Cabaye (Crystal Palace), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle)
Attackers: Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Dimitri Payet (West Ham), Anthony Martial (Manchester United), Kingsley Coman (Bayer Munich), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Tigres)
Standby: Alphonse Areola (Villarreal), Hatem Ben Arfa (Nice), Kevin Gameiro (Sevilla), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Adrien Rabiot (PSG), Morgan Schneiderlin (Manchester United), Djibril Sidibe (Lille), Samuel Umtiti (Lyon)