Zidane beats Vieira to captaincy of France

Patrick Vieira, of Arsenal, has lost out on the captaincy of France to Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane. The Marseilles-born playmaker, 30, was yesterday named captain for tomorrow's Euro 2004 qualifier against Malta in Lens. The France coach, Jacques Santini, has left out the regular captain, Marcel Desailly, from the matches with Malta and Israel because the Chelsea defender had not proved his fitness.

Juventus's Lilian Thuram and the Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez had also been touted for the job.

Robert Pires will miss the game against Malta because of an ankle injury sustained during Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-final replay on Tuesday.

Fulham's Steve Marlet may now take the right-wing spot with Thierry Henry on the left side and the Juventus striker David Trezeguet down the middle.