NASRI ASKS FRANCE FOR FORGIVENESS

Samir Nasri has again called for forgiveness as he prepares to end his
year-long international exile during France's friendly against Belgium
on Wednesday.
Nasri: I'm not an ugly duckling
The Manchester City player, 26, has not played for his country since
being given a three-game international ...
ban for his foul-mouthed
outburst after scoring against England at Euro 2012 and subsequent
violent verbal altercation with a journalist following Les Bleus'
quarter-final exit to Spain in Ukraine over a year ago.
Originally named in the squad for France's post-season tour of South
America, Nasri was forced to pull out of the trip through injury
meaning Brussels will likely be the stage on which he hopes to prove
as good as his promise that he has finally faced up to his past
wrongdoing.
"I didn't behave in an exemplary fashion. I rejected many
opportunities to express myself. People write what they see, what I
can allow them to see. I can't complain about that,"Nasri told the
media at France's training centre at Clairefontaine, outside of
Paris."You have to realise things at a certain time. I've not been
exemplary. That's all. I'm not going looking for excuses."
Nasri owes his return to coach Didier Deschamps, who had frequently
reserved himself the right to recall the talented former Arsenal man
while also emphasising the need for all players in the squad to
maintain the highest standards both on and off the pitch. It appears
the message has finally been received by Nasri.
"He's got faith in me, and I want to repay that. Everyone has the
right to a second chance. I've not killed anyone. In 2010, there were
much more serious incidents and players were given a second chance.
It's down to me not to repeat the sort of errors which saw me
sidelined for a year,"said Nasri, who notably fell out with former
Arsenal and international team-mate William Gallas at Euro 2008.
"Nobody in the squad has come to me and told me they have a problem
with me. It's possible that happens. You're not friends with all 23
players. Personally, I've never had an altercation with anyone in the
French squad. In the past, certainly, but not now."
Deschamps' decision to leave Nasri out of the picture was made easier
by the ex-Marseille starlet's indifferent form for City for much of
the last Premier League season. However, a late campaign flourish
earned his initial recall, and Nasri believes he will gain further
momentum under new City boss Manuel Pellegrini.
"When you're out of the national side for a year, you ask yourself
quite a few questions and you have quite a lot of doubts. But my form
for my club for most of last season wasn't good enough to allow me to
come back,"he explained.
"The tournament in South America was the opportunity for me to show
what I can do. I was in form. I had finished the season well with
Manchester City. Then there was the change in coach, new players
arrived. I might have played less, but that didn't happen. I've had
quite a good pre-season. The coach has shown his faith in me, which is
great."