WHAT should have been a day set aside for peaceful reflection for the French coach, Aime Jacquet, yesterday became little more than a catalogue of gnawing, petty distractions.

Twelve hours after learning that his side would be up against the most proficient of the tournament's many dark horses, the Czech Republic, in tomorrow's Manchester semi final, Jacquet awoke to the accusation that both by virtue of birth place and action some of his players were unpatriotic.

A fax received by Jacquet over breakfast outlined the salient points of a speech made in Nimes, the previous day, by the leader of France's National Front, Jean Marie Le Pen. "The squad is full of foreign players and they don't seem to know the words of the Marseillaise," said Le Pen.

No doubt conscious that Le Pen is a politician who is, at times, sustained solely by the oxygen of publicity, Jacquet contented himself with a simple condemnation. We are all proud to wear the red blue and white," he said, anxious to swiftly close the debate.

But, France's Ghana born midfielder Marcel Desailly was not so reticent to unfurl the flag of patriotism. "When I wear that French shirt I am as proud as the next man," lie said. "I do not need to be singing the national anthem before a game to show my total commitment to my country."

Two cups of coffee later Jacquet found himself besieged by journalists of many differing nationalities, all seeking to discuss the transfer of his key defender Frank Leboeuf between Strasbourg and Ruud Gullit's Chelsea. Having reached agreement on a £2.5 million deal, Chelsea's excitement got the better of them and they ignored accepted international protocol by announcing a transfer mid way through a major competition. Needless to say, Jacquet looked far from amused at developments and Leboeuf was said to be unavailable for comment. It was left to the eloquent Desailly to forecast the meeting of France and England in the tournament's final at Wembley on Sunday week. "I would actually like to see England in the final; it would be a nice party," he said.

"I think they will beat the Germans because the loss of Juergen Klinsmann is a major blow. As for the semi final, I think we are all very surprised to be playing the Czech Republic. We thought Italy would get through the group and we then felt that Portugal would beat the Czechs in their quarter final.