Mathieu Valbuena

Newcastle right-back Mathieu Debuchy will miss France's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Spain on March 22 and 26 with a left thigh injury, the French Football Federation said Monday, with Rod Fanni deputising.

Marseille's title hopes suffered another setback on Friday when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Ajaccio, with coach Elie Baup concerned that the under-renovation Stade Velodrome may have lost its fear factor.

France coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday recalled injury hit striker Loic Remy in his 24-player squad to face crucial 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Spain on March 22 and 26 respectively in Paris.

France coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday recalled injury hit striker Loic Remy in his 24-player squad to face crucial 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Spain on March 22 and 26 respectively in Paris.

Lyon let slip the perfect chance to pile the pressure on French league leaders Paris Saint-Germain when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Brest on Sunday, while Marseille reclaimed third place after beating Troyes 2-1.

Lyon let slip the perfect chance to pile the pressure on French league leaders Paris Saint-Germain when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Brest on Sunday, while Marseille reclaimed third place after beating Troyes 2-1.

France international midfielder Mathieu Valbuena has extended his contract with Ligue 1 giants Marseille until 2017, the club announced on Monday.

Paris Saint-Germain's hopes of winning a first French crown since 1994 and thereby giving David Beckham's upcoming stint in the City of Light a glorious tinge were boosted Sunday when their nearest rivals dropped points.

Marseille's hopes of catching French pace-setters Paris Saint Germain took a knock on Sunday after the 2010 champions could only manage a 1-1 draw at modest Evian after finishing with nine men.

Germany coach Joachim Loew believes the spirit and quality shown by his makeshift side as they came from behind to beat France in Paris bodes well for the challenges that lie ahead this year.

Real Madrid duo Mesut Oezil and Sami Khedira combined to devastating effect as Germany came from behind to beat France 2-1 in a heavyweight showdown here on Wednesday.

France coach Didier Deschamps called up Rennes striker Romain Alessandrini for the first time as well as recalling defenders Raphael Varane of Real Madrid and Arsenal's Bacary Sagna in his squad for the prestige friendly here against Germany next Wednesday.

Marseille set up a clash with bitter rivals Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the French Cup after edging out third-tier Rouen on Wednesday thanks to a goal that should never have stood.

Saint Etienne, once the leading lights of French football, kept their hopes of qualifying for Europe next season alive as they leapt into sixth place with an easy 3-0 win over Bastia on Sunday.

Marseille missed the chance to climb back into second spot in Ligue 1 as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Rennes in Brittany on Saturday.

Marseille missed a golden chance to go level on points with Lyon at the top of the French first division as the former European champions slid to a 3-1 loss at struggling Sochaux on Sunday.

Ligue 1 leaders Lyon were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to relegation candidates Nancy on Wednesday, as their lead at the top was trimmed to three points.

Joey Barton was at the centre of both goals as Marseille bounced back from their crushing midweek defeat to Lyon by clinching a 2-1 win at Brest on Sunday.

Marseille host Lyon in Wednesday's sole Ligue 1 clash in a game postponed from last month because of bad weather with top spot in the French championship at stake.

Goals from Ghanaian Jordan Ayew and Tunisia's Zouhaier Dhaoaudi sounded victory for their teams in the French Ligue 1 over the weekend.