France leave out Toulalan for Euro qualifiers

France coach Laurent Blanc called Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri, Dimitri Payet and Yoann Gourcuff into his squad to face Romania in a Euro 2012 qualifier on October 9 and Luxembourg three days later.

But there is no room for Jeremy Toulalan, who served a one-match ban for his role in the World Cup mutiny which followed the sending home of foul-mouthed Nicolas Anelka after his clash with Blanc predecessor Raymond Domenech.

Blanc banned the entire 23-man World Cup squad from his first game in charge, a 2-1 defeat by Norway in a friendly on August 11.

Toulalan’s ban has now expired while Franck Ribery, banned for three games, and skipper Patrice Evra, banned for five, are not yet back in the fold.

Anelka himself is unlikely to feature for France again after he was banned for 18 matches by the French Federation’s disciplinary panel.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who did not make the cut for the World Cup, is in the squad despite Blanc telling Thursday’s France Soir newspaper that the player is “not used to working,” echoing similar criticism from Real coach Jose Mourinho.

Benzema netted the opening goal in France’s recent 2-0 win at Bosnia-Hercegovina in a Euro 2012 qualifier.

France squad

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux)

Defenders: Bakary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG), Adil Rami (Lille), Philippe Mexes (Roma/ITA), Mamadou Sakho (Paris Saint Germain), Gael Clichy (Arsenal/ENG), Benoit Tremoulinas (Bordeaux)

Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal/ENG), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid/ESP), Yann Mvila (Rennes), Florent Malouda (Chelsea/ENG), Yoann Gourcuff (Lyon), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille), Blaise Matuidi (Saint-Etienne), Samir Nasri (Arsenal/ENG)

Strikers: Kevin Gameiro (Lorient), Guillaume Hoarau (PSG), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/ESP), Loic Remy (Marseille), Dimitri Payet (Saint-Etienne)