MEXICO CITY, April 12 (Reuters) - Mexico's players tried to ignore the controversy over the exclusion of forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco as they began a pre-World Cup training camp on Wednesday.
Blanco, who critics say is Mexico's most creative player,
was excluded from the provisional 26-man squad named on April 2
from which coach Ricardo La Volpe will pick his final 23.
'There are always going to be problems, things which some
say and things which others say but we have to make sure they
don't affect us and stay concentrated,' said defender Carlos
Salcido.
Defender Andres Guardado added: 'I don't see why this should
affect us. It's an off-field problem and we have come to work
and focus on our jobs and not get involved in things which
aren't our business.'
A group of around 80 protesters marched to the Mexican
Football Federation's headquarters demanding Blanco's inclusion.
But La Volpe, who says Blanco's exclusion is purely
tactical, has insisted that no new players will be added to his
squad.
Blanco, who has never been on good terms with the Argentine
coach, appeared to seal his fate last year when he pulled out of
the Confederations Cup squad on the eve of the tournament,
saying he was tired.
He has only been picked once since.
La Volpe has also caused controversy by picking two
naturalised players, Brazilian-born Antonio Naelson and
Argentine-born Guillermo Franco, as well as his own son-in-law,
midfielder Rafael Garcia.
Mexico face Portugal, Iran and Angola in their first-round
group at the World Cup.
