Deschamps slams retirement rumours

Deschamps' international future remains unclear

Didier Deschamps has blasted press speculation that he will quit international football after Euro 2000.

Newspaper Le Parisien reported that the 31-year-old skipper told his teammates after the quarter-final win over Spain he would retire at the end of the competition.

But Deschamps insisted on his own website that he had not yet come to a final decision about his international future.

"As I am not talking to the press at this moment, this piece of gossip could not have come from me," he said.

This piece of gossip could not have come from me

Didier Deschamps

"At the moment I am concentrating on Euro 2000. We will see about it afterwards."

France's most capped player will win his 100th cap in the semi-final against Portugal, but his place in the side has been questioned by some who say he is too slow and lacks creativity.

He has also fallen out with the French media and has refused all interviews over the last few weeks.

"There are two factors - their lack of respect and incompetence," he lamented of the press.

Ups and downs

"And when you get these two factors at the same time, it's too much. Although it's wrong to overgeneralise, some (newspapers) have really hit rock bottom."

Of reaching the century milestone, Deschamps added: "For the last 11 years, I have been playing at the highest level, certainly with ups and downs.

"The fact that I have been fortunate with injuries has allowed to be present on the big occasions. I hope the 101st will be the biggest."