Menez slams ´unfair´ suspensions

PSG winger Jeremy Menez has blasted the suspension of five France Under-21 players, including Yann M’Vila, as hugely unfair.

The 25-year-old also spoke of his own disciplinary struggles and perceptions from the media as well as life in the French capital, with the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Menez remarked that the suspension of M’Vila and the other four players (Antoine Griezmann, Chris Mavinga, Wissam Ben Yedder and M’Baye Niang) is extreme, given his own run-in with the French Football Federation after Euro 2012.

“The suspension is hugely disproportionate. These are young players, and they did something stupid. It can happen to everyone,” the former Roma player told Le Parisien.

“These sanctions will cut their international momentum. Regarding Yann M’Vila, given his talent, he was soon to return to the France team. It must be very hard (for him).

“The suspension should not be mixed (with the incidents at World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012). If it is, it really is not fair. I hope they have the support of all the players and that eventually, the penalties will be reduced. They must use [appeals]. They have the lawyers for that.”

Talking about his own behaviour following Euro 2012, Menez iterated that he worked over the summer to improve his conduct, after consultations with his family.

“It is not necessarily [the one-match ban], it was the remarks of my family on my behaviour. Last year I took too many cards. I realised that if I calmed down, I would grow and be better,” he said.

“The punishment didn’t change me, it is better to discuss with the players to make them understand his mistakes.

“I questioned (myself) during the last summer. I wanted to calm myself down. I focus more on my game. I must say, I do not give a good account of myself.”

Given the poor image of the ‘Generation 1987’ players, including Samir Nasri and Hatem Ben Arfa, have garnered for themselves, Menez insists that controversy doesn’t affect him.

“I’m getting used to it, and it doesn’t affect me, this is what I told my family, my wife,” he said. “I wanted to change, especially for them.

“France coach Didier Deschamps told me that I had to change for me but also for the team. When the speech is positive, I listen, especially when it comes from a person of this calibre.”

Menez and his PSG team-mates travel to champions Montpellier on Sunday.