France's Lassana Diarra out of World Cup

France midfielder Lassana Diarra has been ruled out of the World Cup because of persistent stomach pains, a team spokesman said on Saturday.   
 

The holding midfielder had not trained for three days after feeling unwell on a hike up a glacier in the French Alps resort of Tignes, where France are in a week-long training camp.   

Following stomach pains, medical check-ups have shown an unforeseeable illness that justifies an indeterminate rest period,; the spokesman said.   
 

As a result, Lassana Diarra is out of the World Cup. On Thursday, the first day he could not train, Diarra was seen talking to France coach Raymond Domenech for 45 minutes during the session.   

The 25-year-old Real Madrid player, who has won 27 caps, will not be replaced for the moment, the spokesman added.   

That means Domenech, who had taken a provisional 24-man squad to Tignes, has 23 players left in his group.   

Domenech, who has until June 1 to name his official 23-strong list, had picked 24 players because of a question mark over the fitness of William Gallas.   

Centre back Gallas, who suffered a recurrence of a left calf muscle injury he first picked up in late March and which has kept him out since, completed Saturday's 90-minute session, raising hopes he would be fit for the June 11-July 11 finals.   

France face the hosts South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay in Group A.