Franck Ribery ruled out of World Cup

Paris - Star winger Franck Ribery was ruled out of the World Cup on Friday dealing a huge blow to France's hopes of lifting the trophy in Brazil. The 31-year-old Bayern Munich forward's failure to recover from a nagging back injury was confirmed by coach Didier Deschamps at a press conference. Deschamps announced that midfielder Clement Grenier would also miss the World Cup because of a thigh injury he suffered in the 1-1 draw with Paraguay last Sunday. Deschamps called up Montpellier attacking midfielder Remy Cabella and Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin as replacements.