Les Bleus and Arsenal FC midfielder Robert Pires has apologised to France coach Raymond Domenech, in a bid to win a recall to the French squad for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, even though he last played for France a year ago.

Pires has not been picked by France Coach Raymond Domenech, since he criticised Domenech's tactics after a 2-0 victory over Cyprus in their Europe Zone Group 4 World Cup qualifier in October 2004.

But in an attempt to regain his place in the squad, Pires told French TV channel, TF1's “Telefoot” programme; "I had a chat with the coach a few days ago. I wanted to say sorry. I never wanted to offend the France team or the players”.

"He, (Raymond Domenech) did not ask me to say sorry."

"I would like to relive the happiness of 1998," said Pires. "I would love to go to the World Cup."

Pires also angered the French Football Federation by wearing a t-shirt in a television interview of a rival company to the sponsors of the French Football Federation. He was fined heavily for the incident.

A squad member of the France team that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, Pires was ruled out of the 2002 World Cup with injury but he returned to the squad to play for Jacques Santini at the European Championships in 2004.

The 32-year-old midfielder has picked up 79 caps for France, also claiming two trophies as part of the squad that won the World Cup in 1998, and the European championship two years later.

"Playing for France is like a drug," he said, "Whether you have one cap or 79, you always want more. I want to win my 80th cap. I haven't given up hope."

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