Franck Ribery should reconsider his decision to quit international football, French federation president Noel Le Graet said.
“That kind of decision, for such a talented player, cannot be the fruit of an individual analysis and cannot be taken definitively,” Le Graet said.
“This decision is also that of the coach, guardian of the interests of the France team.”
Winger Ribery said on Wednesday that he would not play for France anymore.
“How could France dispense with one of its best players?” Le Graet added.
“Franck loves the French team and I am convinced that he will reconsider his position.”
Leicester City keen on Cambiasso
Leicester City are trying to sign Argentina midfielder Esteban Cambiasso ahead of their Premier League return against Everton today.
The Foxes are in negotiations with the 33-year-old former Inter player who is a free agent.
Manager Nigel Pearson had been hoping to keep any deal secret until an agreement could be reached but news of the potential signing was leaked last week to a national newspaper.
Pearson insists a deal – which would be a major coup for the club – is still possible.
He said: “I don’t take too much notice of the air waves. I’ve not denied our interest. It’s something we will continue to work at.”
Sevilla to take Deulofeu on loan
Sevilla have agreed a deal to take Barcelona winger Gerard Deu-lofeu on a season-long loan, subject to a medical.
The Spain Under-21 forward had been expected to feature at the Nou Camp this season, having spent last term on loan at Everton.
However, new Barca coach Luis Enrique has decided the Catalan club can do without the 20-year-old.
Danish players, clubs end lockout threat
A lockout that threatened the European ambitions of Denmark’s top clubs was averted yesterday, as the Players Association and the Danish League agreed a deal on a new collective agreement.
Failure to agree a new deal would have triggered a lockout, which would have forced champions Aalborg and rivals FC Copenhagen to field teams of youth players in their upcoming Champions League qualifiers.
The dispute centred on the collective agreement that governs relationships between players and their clubs in Denmark.
The clubs cancelled the previous agreement in July, saying it was too open to interpretation, while the players wanted better conditions, a limit to the amount of hours they work and more protection for lower-league players.
Aguero signs new five-year City deal
Argentina striker Sergio Aguero followed the lead of Manchester City team-mates Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Samir Nasri and Aleksandar Ko-larov by signing a new long-term deal with the club.
The Premier League champions announced that the 26-year-old Aguero had agreed a five-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2019.
“The reality seems to be that ever since I came here, during every close season, there have always been rumours suggesting that I might be returning to Spain,” said the former Atletico Madrid forward.
“People hear this stuff flying around and they take it seriously but I can tell the fans and everyone at Manchester City to relax, I’m going to be here until I see out my contract.”
Mertesacker quits international stage
Germany centre half Per Mertesacker, a member of the World Cup-winning squad in Brazil last month, has quit the international arena in order to focus on club football.
The 29-year-old Arsenal player, who won 104 caps and scored four goals, becomes the third squad member to retire since the end of the World Cup following captain Philipp Lahm and record goalscorer Miroslav Klose.
Mertesacker told the Sueddeutsche newspaper he wanted to determine when his international career finished.
“First and foremost it was about me, after a 10-year career in the team, being able to say when the chapter ended,” he said.
West Ham swoop for forward Sakho
Senegal striker Diafra Sakho has joined West Ham United from Ligue 2 champions Metz for an undisclosed fee.
According to media reports, the 24-year-old cost the Premier League club around 4.5 million pounds.
“This is a proud day to have signed for West Ham,” Sakho told West Ham’s TV channel.
“I really love English football and I’ve dreamed to come and play for one of the big clubs.”
Sakho was voted Ligue 2 player of the year last season after his 20 goals helped Metz clinch the title by 11 points.
He made his Senegal debut in a friendly against Burkina Faso in May.