Nicolas Anelka has been warned by France coach Jacques Santini that he has no future in the national team until he issues an apology for refusing a call-up last year.
The five-match suspension received by Djibril Cisse following his sending-off in an European Under-21 Championship qualifier is set to rule the Auxerre striker out of Euro 2004. And, since that news, there have been calls for Santini to forgive and forget the manner in which Manchester City striker Anelka declined a late invitation to play against Serbia and Montenegro in November 2002.
Then, the former Paris St Germain, Arsenal and Real Madrid forward claimed to feel unwanted by Santini, and declared: "It looks to me as if my selection was a little forced, as if I was a stopgap. I need to feel appreciated and really wanted if I am to give my best."
But it appeared as though he was interested in returning when he recently told a French television programme that international football remained high on his agenda, and on merit Anelka would be an ideal replacement for Cisse.
"I have not closed the door to 'Les Bleus' yet," said the 24-year-old.
Even though Santini now needs to find a reliable frontman to take Cisse's place, Anelka now seems unlikely to be that man.
"He (Anelka) sidelined himself from the national team by refusing a cap," said Santini. "He lacked respect towards the French Football Federation and the national side. As long as he has not publicly apologised for his attitude and his words it will be impossible for me to call him up ever again."
Cisse is clinging on to hope that he might yet be able to feature at Euro 2004. The terms of his ban dictate that he must miss France's next five competitive internationals, and because he is now too old to play for the Under-21 team, it must be served at senior level.
Should France reach the Euro 2004 final, then he would be eligible to play, but the three group games - including the opener against England - the quarter-finals and the semi-finals are matches in which Cisse would be able to play no part.
The suspension was meted out by UEFA following Cisse's kick at a Portugal Under-21 defender in the second leg of their qualification play-off for next summer's age-group finals.