French players get too friendly

The French Football Federation has suspended all 23 players from the nation's World Cup squad from competing in a friendly against Norway on Aug. 11 because of the embarrassment the team caused during France's brief stay in South Africa.

At least two players may face a much harsher penalty for embarrassment they caused themselves and their families off the pitch.

The one-game ban was requested by France's new manager, Laurent Blanc, who was unhappy with the team's performance on and off the field at the World Cup. France went winless in three matches, and also refused to train one day after Nicolas Anelka was sent home for a confrontation with his coach.

The team's troubles may have started long before the players arrived in South Africa. Two of its top players became embroiled in an underage prostitution scandal in April.

Franck Ribery and Sidney Govou were questioned after sex worker Zahia Dehar was discovered to be underage during a raid at a Paris nightclub. Dehar, now 18, has admitted she was paid to have sex with the players but contends they didn't know she was underage. Prostitution is legal in France, but girls must be 18 to work in the profession and the clients are held liable if she proves to be underage.

Govou was not charged because it was determined Dehar was 18 when he paid for her services, but Ribery and Karim Benzema were charged Tuesday with soliciting an underage prostitute. Benzema was not selected to the World Cup roster but is a member of the French national team.

Ribery's lawyer has argued her client shouldn't have been charged because he did not know Dehar's age and she did not appear to be underage.

A quick Google image search -- strictly for professional purposes -- leaves Leftovers agreeing with that assessment.

In the end, it might not be in France's best interests to suspend the players, not when it's so obvious what they're doing on their nights off.

■ TRENDSETTER -- The Black Keys, one of Akron, Ohio's favorite hometown bands, appear to be following LeBron James out of town.

The group has found international success, but stayed in Akron through it all. Well, until now.

James took a lot of heat for his hourlong TV special to shun northeast Ohio, but Keys front man Dan Auerbach took a shot at his hometown in telling Cleveland Scene why he plans to move to Nashville, Tenn.

"Akron's a great place, but we get to see all these great cities and spend time in these beautiful cities, and sometimes you come home and it's a little bit of a bummer."

He should be expecting a letter from Dan Gilbert any day.

■ BAAAAD JOKE -- The Tour de France was commandeered briefly Thursday when a pack of sheep assembled and crossed the path, delaying a large group of cyclists.

There were no crashes, and riders were reportedly grateful the sheep were not doping. If one of the slow-moving animals had been using performance-enhancing drugs, it could have been in line to win seven Tour de France titles.

COMPILED BY ADAM HILL
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL