Former Manchester United and France star Cantona claimed recently that Karim Benzema, Hatem Ben Arfa and Samir Nasri had been left out by boss Didier Deschamps due to their North African roots.

But Manchester City defender Sagna says Cantona is way off the mark.

"It is stupid of him to say such things just before the Euros are about to start," said Sagna.

"It's just such a pity there are comments like this just before the Euros.

"It doesn't matter what race you are - French, North African, Chinese – Deschamps is not a racist. The world is like this. He is not a racist.

"I don't think there are any problems."

France face Romania in the opening game of the tournament tomorrow.

And World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf added: "I was quite appalled by what he said, because I know Didier very well.

"In France we've been invaded by so many countries during our history - Arabs, Italians, Celts, Vikings, Prussians - that nobody is a real French guy.

"‘Pure' French, it doesn't mean anything, so we have to accept that people can be not the same colour, but belonging to the same country."