France Manager Suing Cantona Over Race Claim

France manager Didier Deschamps is suing former teammate Eric Cantona over his claim the squad selection for Euro 2016 was racially motivated.

The two legends of French football have resumed a rivalry that dates back to the 1990s after Cantona questioned the omission of striker Karim Benzema and forward Hatem Ben Arfa.

Both players are of North African origin.

Cantona told The Guardian earlier this week: "Benzema is a great player. Ben Arfa is a great player.

"But Deschamps, he has a really French name. Maybe he is the only one in France to have a truly French name.

"Nobody in his family mixed with anybody, you know. Like the Mormons in America.

"So I'm not surprised he used the situation of Benzema not to take him.

"Especially after (French Prime Minister Manuel) Valls said he should not play for France. And Ben Arfa is maybe the best player in France today.

"But they have some origins. I am allowed to think about that."

Benzema was not picked after his involvement in an alleged blackmail scandal, while Ben Arfa is among eight players on the stand-by list.

Deschamps' lawyer, Carlos Brusa, told reporters his client was pursuing legal action to penalise "the unacceptable slanderous and defamatory statements that harm Mr Deschamps' integrity".

The 23-man squad does include players of ethnic origin, including Adil Rami, whose parents are Moroccan.

French Football Federation (FFF) head Noel Le Graet described Cantona's claim as "ridiculous".

A history of animosity between the pair began when Deschamps replaced Cantona as France captain in the 1990s.

Cantona famously called Deschamps a "water carrier" - meaning his role was to pass to better players.