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"I am not happy with what happened. It shows a lack of respect. If a player is frustrated [because he is not in the starting line-up], he just has to pack and leave," said Marseille coach Eric Gerets.

* Olympique Lyon coach Alain Perrin has told his players to wait until the Nancy game is over on Saturday before thinking about their holidays.

"It is an important game. Our last two league games have not been good. We will see if we are able to do the job," Perrin told the club's website.

Lyon, who lost at Caen and were held to a goalless draw by Nice in their last two league outings, top the standings with 38 points from 18 games and lead second-placed Nancy by four points.

"The holidays start at 1900 and not before. I want the players to give their best one more time before the winter break," said Perrin.

* Nancy played down the importance of the game even though victory on Saturday would cut the deficit with the six-times champions to one point.

"This game is not more important than any other one. There are only three points at stake," said goalkeeper Gennaro Bracigliano.

Nancy have not won in their last four league games, losing once and drawing three times. However, Michael Chretien remained optimistic.

"They are not unbeatable. What if we win? People will say that we can be champions. That's fair," the midfielder said.

* RC Lens coach Jean-Pierre Papin said his struggling team are looking to gain a psychological boost in the derby against Lille.

Both sides are hovering just above the relegation zone with Lille in 15th place with 21 points, while Lens are 16th with 20.

"Of course it's a derby but it's not the most important thing. We just have to win to pull away from the danger zone", former France striker Papin told RC Lens's website.

Reuters