PARIS -- Didier Deschamps is the new coach of Frances troubled national football team. The French Football Federation announced the appointment on its Web site on Sunday after Laurent Blanc turned down a new contract offer last month. Deschamps quit as Marseille coach a week ago despite leading the French club to a league title and a record three straight League Cups. As a player, Deschamps captained France to victory at the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship. He also won the Champions League with Marseille in 1993 and Juventus in 96. "Didier Deschamps is obviously the right man for this job," French league president Frederic Thiriez said. "In this difficult context, the France team needs a man with his character and experience." France went on a 23-match unbeaten run under Blanc and reached the quarterfinals at the European Championship, restoring some pride in a team that was knocked out in the first round of the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 Euros under former coach Raymond Domenech. But Blanc could not prevent his players from again being questioned over their behaviour and Deschamps main task will be to introduce more discipline on and off the pitch. Blanc started rebuilding the France team with relative success after players at the last World Cup shocked fans back home by going on strike at a training session to protest against Nicolas Anelkas exclusion from the squad for insulting Domenech. Anelka was suspended for 18 matches while Patrice Evra, Franck Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan received shorter bans for their part in the strike. Old demons came back to haunt the team last month with France internationals Samir Nasri, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yann MVila and Jeremy Menez facing a disciplinary commission on July 27 over their actions at this years Euros in Poland and Ukraine. Ben Arfa was involved in a heated bust-up following the 2-0 defeat to Sweden in the last group match. In the quarterfinal 2-0 loss to Spain, Menez made a disgruntled gesture at captain Hugo Lloris and MVila left the pitch without shaking Blancs hand. Nasri then aimed an expletive-laced rant at a journalist after the match. Deschamps will have only a friendly against Uruguay next month to prepare for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. In Group I, France will face Finland and Belarus in September and European champion Spain in October. cheap jerseys . Speaking to a group of Associated Press Sports Editors, league counsel Jeff Pash said Friday the unions approach is "unfortunate." "They were protective of the players who could be disciplined in the next phase of this," Pash said. wholesale jerseys china . A person familiar with negotiations, on Monday, provided the details of what was expected to be discussed at the meeting that will be held in New York. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the NHL and the NHL Players Association have not issued an update on talks. http://www.wholesalenflch... . TSNs CIS coverage begins on Saturday with the Canada West championship, the Hardy Cup, as the University of Regina Rams take on the University of Calgary Dinos on Saturday at 4pm et/1pm pt. TSNs Rod Black and Duane Forde will be in the broadcast booth to call the game. [url=http://www.wholesalenflcheapjerseysfromchina.biz/]cheap nfl jerseys . McKenzie (13-2) has used the guillotine choke to record his last 11 wins. Mendes (11-1), who has never been submitted, is coming off a loss to featherweight champion Jose Aldo. cheap jerseys china . Adams finalized a $12 million, two-year contract with Philadelphia on Thursday, giving the Phillies a premier eighth-inning reliever. The 34-year-old right-hander was 5-3 with a 3. ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Louis Delmas and Cliff Avril were on the practice field, looking healthy after a much-needed open date for the Detroit Lions. Jahvid Best still cant play, but hes at least eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list next week. The Lions are on the mend -- physically, at least. It remains to be seen whether they can improve on their 1-3 start this weekend at Philadelphia. "Its not health anymore," centre Dominic Raiola said. "Its just a matter of doing the right things. Theres no excuse." Delmas hasnt played yet this season while recovering from left knee surgery, but the defensive back has been practicing lately and could give a boost to Detroits secondary. Avril had to leave the Lions loss to Minnesota two weekends ago because of a back problem, but he too seems fine now. Not everyone is at full strength. Corey Williams, who is coming off knee surgery, stood off the to the side at the start of practice Tuesday. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew wasnt on the field at all during the portion open to reporters. Coach Jim Schwartz didnt elaborate on Pettigrews condition other than to say hes day to day. Meanwhile, Best has been on the reserve-physically unable to perform list all season because of concussion problems, but hes eligible to return as early as next week. Whether hell be able to is still an open question. "Hes going through some return-to-play protocool," Schwartz said.dddddddddddd "Those arent done by the people here. Those are done by independent neurologists and everybody else. The only thing we can do is wait for their opinion on it. ... The next step is getting him cleared and then it would be off PUP and then practicing before any decision would be made of when hed be ready to play." Best showed promise as a rookie in 2010 and started six games last season, but he hasnt played since a loss to San Francisco nearly a year ago. "Hes in better shape now than when he was a rookie. Hes physically stronger. Hes smarter in our schemes, done a really good job being at meetings and those kind of things," Schwartz said. "This isnt a guy thats been on vacation for the last couple months. This guys worked extremely hard. But we try not to get ahead of ourselves. Hes doing what he can. When he gets clearance hell be back." The secondary has been hit hard by injuries. Chris Houston missed two games because of a sprained left ankle, and rookie Bill Bentley missed one because of a concussion. Theyre back now. Avril, who was sidelined in the second half against the Vikings, was one of several players who missed some practice time last week -- with no game to prepare for. Now hes ready to chase Michael Vick and the Eagles around on Sunday. "Feeling good," Avril said. "I practiced, feeling good and ready to get rolling." ' ' '