France postpone friendly with troubled Senegal

France have agreed to postpone their friendly against Senegal on August 17 after a request from the Senegalese soccer federation.

France now hope to play Ivory Coast in August with the game likely to be staged in Montpellier.

Ghana is suppose to play Ivory Coast on August 16

The French Football Federation (FFF) said it had received a fax from its Senegalese counterpart saying the Teranga Lions could not play because of "the current situation of the national team".

Senegal, who upset former colonial power France in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup, are struggling to qualify for the 2006 World Cup and last month both their coach Guy Stephan and the African country's sports minister were fired.

"Despite a deal signed by both federations, the FFF will not try to add to the difficulties within Senegalese football," the FFF said in a statement.