Steve Mandanda says all players involved in Frances' World Cup debacle must accept their punishment.
Les Bleus reserve keeper says Blanc sanction is deserved
France reserve goalkeeper Steve Mandanda says all players involved in Les Bleus' World Cup debacle must accept their punishment.
New France coach Laurent Blanc chose to exclude the entire 23-man party that travelled to South Africa this summer from the friendly against Norway next week.
The sanction is in response to a dismal World Cup campaign which saw Les Bleus scrape just one point and one goal.
The whole squad also staged a training-ground strike as a reaction to the dismissal of team-mate Nicolas Anelka, and Marseille keeper Mandanda feels their resulting punishment is deserved.
"We have learned a lot from our mistakes," Mandanda told
L'Equipe. "What we did was b******* and we must abide by the sanction.
"But it is still a France game and we are of course disappointed not to participate."
However, Mandanda has called on fans to continue to support Les Bleus, adding: "There is no reason why Ligue 1 players should be affected by the backlash of what happened there.
"This episode was unfortunate, but there is no need for everyone to be mixed up in it."
Debut
Blanc will name a less experienced side for the Oslo clash on Thursday, and new Arsenal signing Laurent Koscielny could come into the frame to make his France debut.
The centre-half, who moved to the Emirates club from Lorient this summer, is hoping the switch will give a boost his international aspirations.
"I will see," he told
L'Equipe TV. "I want to establish myself at Arsenal, and if I do that I can get into the France team.
"Since my debut I feel better and better in this team. They are one of the biggest clubs in Europe, one of the top 10."
