Vieira saddened by Domenech's 'lack of class'

Former France captain Patrick Vieira saw his stellar international career brought to an end on Tuesday by coach Raymond Domenech in a manner that several newspapers deemed to be an unnecessary humiliation on such a decorated footballer.

The 33-year-old, 107-times capped former Arsenal and Inter midfield hardman - now with Manchester City - missed out on what would have been his fourth World Cup finals when he was not selected in the 30-man preliminary squad for the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 11 in South Africa.

Vieira, who along with Arsenal's Sami Nasri and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema were the biggest name absentees from the list, had apparently annoyed Domenech when he insisted last November after being left out of the play-off against Ireland he was still the best midfielder in France.

He made the statement despite becoming increasingly injury-prone and featuring rarely for Manchester City since moving from an unhappy spell at Inter earlier this season.

And the Senegal-born Vieira was visibly angered by the manner in which he had learnt of his omission - live on TV instead of receiving a phone call from Domenech forewarning him.

"His (Domenech) choice I do accept," said Vieira.

"The only problem is with regard to our personal relations. I was expecting more openness, more contact on his behalf. With Raymond I enjoyed healthy relations. But to learn of my non-selection like that well that is lacking in class and it saddens me.

"There are coaches who know how to handle these things, and others who don't."