As we've reported on muchly, Arsenal are at the head of a campaign for the right to deny France and Australia the use of their players for a friendly in Australia on November 11th (try using the in-topic contect panel on the right to find earlier stories).

In the battle between clubs and countries, this time the clubs seem to be getting more of an upper hand. Despite the fact that they don't have a (legal) leg to stand on, FIFA have intervened on the clubs' behalfs.

The governing body has written to the Australian and French FAs, asking that they restrict their call-ups to a maximum of one player from any one club.

Soccer Australia say that they have received the communication from FIFA, but have no intention of abiding by it.

Unfortunately, Australia will have less chance to exercise this refusal than France would. There are several teams with more than one major French player in them (Arsenal and Man Utd spring to mind).

We have yet to see if France will abide by FIFA's request. If they do, it'll be interesting to see who they take. Who's most important to them out of Henry, Pires, and Vieira? Or given that it's a friendly, maybe the question should be who's the biggest attraction?

It also remains to be seen whether or not Arsenal offer them Gilles Grimandi instead.

To be frank, all this moaning does Arsenal no credit at all. International call-ups are part of the game. The match is taking place during a break for the world cup play-offs. A lot of players are going to be involved in 2 extremely hard-fought meaningful matches while the French (and Australian) teams are flying a bit further for a prestigious friendly. Big deal.

The European clubs had even offered to pay to relocate the match in Europe. Presumably this offer did not include flying over all the Aussie football fans who have been looking forward to the game.

The French players have been looking forward to it to, if ones to believe the ads they've been in on Aussie telly (as revealed here on 11th September). The ads feature Henry, Vieira, and Pires (among others) telling the Australian public how much they want to win, how much they want revenge (for the Confederations Cup defeat).

Well, I guess not turning up would be some kind of revenge.