Monday, 11th November, 2013
Critics of Patrice Evra's selection for France only need to look at the coaches he has worked under, according to Didier Deschamps, who is concerned only with the "sporting sense".
Evra is in the France squad to face Ukraine in the World Cup playoffs this week, after escaping punishment for his "tramps" remark towards ex-players.
Many had called for Evra to not be called up, but Deschamps has maintained his stance, stating the left-back's row had no bearing on his inclusion.
"I'm an idiot, [former France coach] Laurent Blanc was an idiot and [former Manchester United manager Sir] Alex Ferguson is an idiot, since he kept him for eight years and he has been captain of Manchester United", Deschamps told L'Equipe.
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"I could be wrong. But his presence meets a sporting sense. It is in this sense that I stand with the players. There is an emotional [element], but it will never take precedence over the sport.
"To dwell on this matter today would serve no interest. And none of the players will talk either because it has no interest in relation to our goal.
"I could have done without this episode but I have experienced much worse. Our adversary is only Ukraine and Ukraine.
"You have the freedom to ask the questions you want and people in front of you have the freedom to respond or not to do so."
Evra was one of 24 players to be named by Deschamps for the playoffs, with the first leg set to take place on Friday in the Ukraine.
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