France manager Laurent Blanc admitted he is glad Les Bleus will not have to face suspended striker Wayne Rooney when the French take on England in their opening Euro 2012 match.
England drew co-hosts the Ukraine, Sweden and old enemies France in Group D during Friday's Euro 2012 draw.
Manchester United star Rooney is banned for all of England's Euro 2012 group matches after being sent off in the final qualifier against Montenegro in October, but his appeal against the ban will be heard by UEFA on Thursday.
He was sent off for kicking out at Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovic during the 2-2 draw at the end of October and UEFA's disciplinary panel imposed the three-game ban after deciding his actions amounted to assault.
France play England at Euro 2012 on Monday June 11 in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk and Blanc admitted he is happy the Euro 2000 champions will not have to worry about Rooney.
"It's gone to appeal, the appeal can lead to something, but in any case, for the first match against France, he will be suspended," said the 46-year-old Blanc.
"A player of the class of Rooney, who is not in the opposing team, that is always good news."
Capello is hoping UEFA will show some leniency to allow the star striker to play in any of the group matches, with England set to also face Sweden in Kiev on Friday June 15 and the Ukraine in Donetsk on Tuesday June 19.
"I hope Wayne will stay with us, I hope the appeal will allow us to have him," said the Italian.
"I hope he will be okay and I need to wait for the decision."
Source: AFP
