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Zidane absent from French Confed Cup squad

PARIS (AP) -- Forwards Djibril Cisse and Thierry Henry lead the roster to defend France's title in next month's FIFA Confederations Cup, but star playmaker Zinedine Zidane was left out.

Coach Jacques Santini, announcing the list of 23 players Monday, called up Arsenal's midfielder Robert Pires and Fabien Barthez of Manchester United, one of three goalies. Veteran defender Marcel Desailly of Chelsea and Arsenal's star striker Henry were as expected on the list.

But Zidane and his teammate at Real Madrid, Claude Makelele, were both left out because of scheduling conflicts. The team is seeking the Spanish championship title and the last day of play is expected on June 22 -- four days after the competition hosted by France gets underway.

Santini said that Zidane would likely be too exhausted to play in the Confederations Cup and could risk injury if he did.

"The health of the players comes before everything," Santini said.

First-round play starts June 18 with France facing off Colombia in Lyon. Japan takes to the field two days later in Saint-Etienne and New Zealand follows on June 22 at the Stade de France, north of Paris.

The second group is made up of Brazil, Turkey, Cameroon and the United States.

The final is scheduled for June 29.

France squad:

Goalkeeper: Fabien Barthez (Manchester United), Gregory Coupet (Lyon), Mickael Landreau (Nantes).

Defenders: Jean-Alain Boumsong (Auxerre), Marcel Desailly (Chelsea), William Gallas (Chelsea) Bixente Lizarazu (Bayern Munich) Philippe Mexes (Auxerre), Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich), Mickael Silvestre (Manchester United) Lilian Thuram (Juventus).

Midfielders: Ousmane Dabo (Atalante), Olivier Dacourt (Roma), Ludovic Giuly (Monaco), Olivier Kapo (Auxerre), Benoit Pedretti (Sochaux), Robert Pires (Arsenal), Jerome Rothen (Monaco), Sylvain Wiltord (Arsenal).

Forwards: Djibril Cisse (Auxerre), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Steve Marlet (Fulham).

 

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