French deny rift

Jacques Santini has made sweeping changes to the France team for tonight's final group game against Switzerland in Coimbra amid rumours of a rift in the European Champions' camp.

The claims that there is a split between a group of older players who advise the French coach, and younger stars denied access to the consultation process, was denied by captain Marcel Desailly. But it has dominated the build-up to tonight's clash.

Santini appears to have bowed to player power by axeing William Gallas, Desailly, Olivier Dacourt and Sylvain Wiltord from the team that struggled to a draw against Croatia. In come Bixente Lizarazu, Robert Pires, Willy Sagnol and Claude Makelele.

The soon-to-be Tottenham coach met with a four-man team delegation of Desailly, Zinedine Zidane, Lilian Thuram and Patrick Vieira at the weekend to hear their opinions about France's less than convincing start to the defence of their European title.

Santini insisted that it was more a velvet revolution than any kind of mutiny. "I have encouraged the players to come and talk about anything since I took the job two years ago. It is a perpetual exchange between the players and myself," said Santini. "This is not something new. For two years I have invited them to tell me the things they feel." There appeared to be a few cracks appearing in the solid front erected by the players when Lizarazu complained publicly about his omission against Croatia.

Santini responded by saying: "Sometimes players are dealing with their own individual interest but it is their own responsibility to talk. But those who talk bring on themselves an added pressure. I gave Bixente two reasons why I left him out. What I will say is that we have to find a balance." Desailly admitted there was a "secret garden" of players who the coach listened to. But as if to demonstrate this senior cabal were not just promoting their own interests, he agreed with the coach's decision to leave him out tonight by explaining that at his age, 35, he needs longer to recover than younger players.