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27th May 2016
09:09am BST
Cantona claimed that Deschamps, with whom he shares a frosty relationship, was influenced by French prime minister Manuel Valls, who publicly asked for Benzema's exclusion.
“Benzema is a great player. Ben Arfa is a great player,” Cantona told the Guardian. “But Deschamps, he has a really French name. Maybe he is the only one in France to have a truly French name. Nobody in his family mixed with anybody, you know. Like the Mormons in America."
“So I’m not surprised he used the situation of Benzema not to take him. Especially after Valls said he should not play for France. And Ben Arfa is maybe the best player in France today. But they have some origins. I am allowed to think about that.”
Cantona was pressed on the issue and the Manchester United icon followed up on his opinion that the North African origins of both Benzema and Ben Arfa could have been a motivating factor for Deschamps.
He said: “Maybe no, but maybe yes. Why not? One thing is for sure – Benzema and Ben Arfa are two of the best players in France and will not play the European Championship. And for sure, Benzema and Ben Arfa, their origins are north African. So, the debate is open.”
In response, Deschamps is now reportedly planning to sue Cantona over the racism allegations.
His lawyer Carlos Brusa is quoted as saying: "I will initiate action before the civil and criminal courts to punish these slanderous and defamatory comments that infringe impermissibly on Mr Deschamps' integrity."
