Blanc claims locker room squabble hurting preparations

DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) -- France coach Laurent Blanc says a dressing-room bust-up after the Sweden game has affected preparations for Saturday's European Championship quarterfinal against Spain.

The manner of France's poor performance in the 2-0 loss to Sweden on Tuesday led to some heated exchanges between players, and a meeting took place the following day involving the whole squad to smooth things over.

Blanc says "yes, it took some time for this to subside'' but that "there are priorities you have to deal with, and they are more important than even the technical preparation of the match.''

Still unhappy about that defeat, Blanc says there will "most probably'' be changes against Spain in Donetsk.

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