Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has sent a petition to 11 other top European clubs, asking them to join his current fight against the French Football Federation.

Regular readers will know the French want to take a full-strength international side to Australia in November... and that Deino isn't best pleased (see earlier Arseweb story). The Press Association says 'Arsenal are adamant that they will not back down', but notes that 'France coach Roger Lemerre is refusing to relent'.

Now FIFA is preparing to get involved. Its legal department is said to be looking at the matter, in the expectation that they will be called to arbitrate at some point.

Lemerre continues to say that he understands Arsenal's concerns, but is quoted today: 'We need the best preparation possible (for the World Cup next summer) and that means we need our best players.'