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Court dismisses French football coach's defamation case against Cantona

Didier Deschamps brought the case against Eric Cantona after the former Manchester United plater accused his former international teammate of racial discrimination in his choice of players for the 2016 European Champions.

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The court of appeal of Paris on Monday dismissed a defamation case brought by France coach Didier Deschamps against Manchester United legend Eric Cantona, according to legal sources, reports FRANCE 24.

Deschamps brought the case against Cantona after the latter accused his former international teammate of racial discrimination in his choice of players for the 2016 European Championship.

Cantona claimed Deschamps had snubbed Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa because of their "north African origins".

A Paris court had already declared the case void in December 2020 for procedural reasons.

It argued the way the complaint was drafted had not clearly defined the case for defamation.

Deschamps appealed the original ruling but the court of appeal's decision confirmed the previous ruling. Deschamps now has no further legal recourse in France on the issue.

Read more of this AFP story published by FRANCE 24