Nasri accepts omission from France squad

ABU DHABI - Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri said Wednesday that he respected the choice of France coach Didier Deschamps to leave him out of the national team for the World Cup in Brazil.

"I respect his choice, which hasn't been a surprise for me," Nasri told reporters in Abu Dhabi, where Manchester City are celebrating their English Premier League title.

Deschamps on Tuesday unveiled his 23-man squad for the World Cup as well as naming seven reserves, but there was no place for the 26-year-old Nasri.

"If he thinks my behaviour is bad, that's his business. Me, I play for my team (Manchester City) and I have no problem," said Nasri, who has 41 caps for his country.

Nasri, who started his career at Marseille before spending three years at Arsenal prior to joining City, was handed a three-match ban by the French Football Federation for poor behaviour during Euro 2012.

He then returned to the national team in August 2013 but his performances failed to convince Deschamps.

Nasri's club boss, Manuel Pellegrini, said the midfielder's absence from the France set-up "is not good news for me. He deserves to play for France but each coach has his choices."

France kick off their World Cup campaign against Honduras on June 15 in Porto Alegre. They will also face Switzerland and Ecuador in Group E.

AFP