FRANCE'S Euro 2012 Squad

Laurent Blanc has finalised the France squad that will travel to Euro 2012, reducing his numbers to the Uefa-requisite 23 by cutting Yoann Gourcuff and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa from his unit.

Initially the France boss had named a total of 27 players in his pre-selection panel, but Olympique de Marseille’s Loic Remy dropped out last week because of a thigh problem sustained at the tail end of the Ligue 1 season along with Tottenham centre-back Younes Kaboul, who is also stricken.

Speculation was rife as to the identities of the other two unfortunate men would be, but Gourcuff was always considered to be a likely player to drop out after a difficult campaign with Olympique Lyonnais. He was given the chance to impress in Sunday’s 3-2 friendly win over Iceland in Valenciennes, but clearly did not do enough in Blanc’s eyes to justify his selection.

Yanga-Mbiwa, meanwhile, was one of four centre-backs named in the initial squad, but the uncapped Montpellier player will not travel to Ukraine with the rest of the team, with his lack of experience probably a key factor in the coach’s decision making.

France meet Serbia on Thursday and then face Estonia on June 5 as their warm-up matches end. They will meet England, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine in Group D of the competition proper.

France's 23-man squad to play Euro 2012:

Name	Club
Goalkeepers:
Hugo Lloris	Lyon
Steve Mandanda	Marseille
Cedric Carrasso	Bordeaux
Defenders:
Gael Clichy	Manchester City
Mathieu Debuchy	Lille
Patrice Evra	Manchester United
Laurent Koscielny	Arsenal
Philippe Mexes	AC Milan
Adil Rami	Valencia
Anthony Reveillere	Lyon
Midfielders:
Hatem Ben Arfa	Newcastle
Yohan Cabaye	Newcastle
Alou Diarra	Marseille
Yann M'Vila	Rennes
Marvin Martin	Sochaux
Florent Malouda	Chelsea
Blaise Matuidi	PSG
Samir Nasri	Manchester City
Franck Ribery	Bayern Munich
Attackers:
Karim Benzema	Real Madrid
Olivier Giroud	Montpellier
Jeremy Menez	PSG
Mathieu Valbuena	Marseille

Ivanovic: I know that Real Madrid want me

The Serbian defender affirmed that he knows about Los Blancos' interest in his services, but noted that he does not think about leaving the Blues after their continental success

Branislav Ivanovic has confirmed that he is on Real Madrid's wish list for the new season.

Spanish sources have claimed that Ivanovic is high on the list of targets of Jose Mourinho as the Portuguese coach looks to fine-tune his squad to give Madrid their 10th Champions League trophy.

The 28-year-old, who was a starter in Serbia's 2-0 defeat against Spain on Saturday, stated that he is aware of Los Blancos' interest, but stressed that he is happy with life at Stamford Bridge.

"I know what has been written about my future and that Madrid are following me, but now is not the time to talk about this," Ivanovic told Marca.

"I am focused on the national team now and I am very happy at Chelsea. 

"I won the Champions League just one week ago and to think about changing clubs now is complicated. I am very happy in London."

Ivanovic, who missed the Champions League final through suspension, joined Chelsea from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2008 in a reported €12 million (£9m) deal.

Match Fixing Scandal In Italy; ...Again!

Following the Calciopoli Scandal, it seems the Italians haven't quite learn't their lesson

Stefano Mauri, Lazio Captain,... Arrested!

Lazio captain Stefano Mauri and several other top Serie A players were arrested on Monday as part of an investigation into the so-called Calcioscommesse sports betting scandal.

Lazio Midfielder Stefano Mauri, 32, who joined the Rome club from Udinese in 2006 and has 11 caps for Italy, made 16 league appearances last season as Lazio finished fourth in Serie A was held along with former Genoa midfielder Omar Milanetto, 36, signed for Serie B side Padova last summer after five years at Genoa and made 15 starts last season. police said.

They were one of 19 people implicated in the affair as police swooped on a number of addresses up and down the country, according to the Ansa news agency

Juventus coach Antonio Conte, who just led the club to the Serie A title in his first season in charge, is among those being questioned by police.

Officers also visited Italy's pre-Euro 2012 training camp to question left-back Domenico Criscito, 25, a former Genoa and Juventus defender, is now at Zenit St Petersburg in Russia and has 19 caps for Italy

Police are searching more than 30 homes, including those of players, trainers and administrators of clubs in Serie A, Serie B and lower divisions.

Five people were also arrested in Hungary on suspicion of being part of an illegal international betting ring.

Monday's operation was part of a wider investigation which has already seen a number of arrests of current and former Italian players. In June last year, the Interior Ministry set up a special match-fixing task force in response to a number of high-profile cases.

Former Atalanta captain and Italy midfielder Cristiano Doni was banned for three-and-a-half years in August  for his part in the 'Calcioscommesse' scandal involving Serie B matches last season. He was also arrested in December 2011 over match-fixing and betting allegations.

Atalanta, promoted from Serie B, were deducted six points in the top flight this season as a result of the scandal.

Former Lazio and Italy striker Giuseppe Signori was banned for five years and 15 other players were banned for between one and five years for their parts.