Former France winger Franck Ribery has been warned he must stand up and play for his country in the event of being called up, despite having announced his international retirement this summer.
Michel Platini, president of UEFA, has spoken publicly about the Bayern Munich star and said the 31-year-old will have to play for the France national team should coach Didier Deschamps decide he requires his services.
Although the Bundesliga hero quit international football at the end of the Brazil 2014 World Cup, Platini threatened to suspend Ribery from three fixtures at club level in the event of him refusing to accept a summons from Les Bleus.
“Franck cannot decide himself whether he plays for France,” Platini told Sky Sports.
“If Didier Deschamps picks him then he must come. That’s the FIFA rule. If he doesn’t come, he will be suspended for three Bayern Munich games.”
The FIFA rule that states any player must accept a national team call-up should their country require them. This rule was put in place in order to stop players from opting to feature only in games they wish to feature in, however it does not normally apply to players who have already announced their retirement.