David Ginola to sue Gerard Houllier over book remarks

Former Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder David Ginola is to sue his one-time France coach Gerard Houllier over remarks made in a new book.

The former Liverpool and Aston Villa manager is alleged to have referred to Ginola in offensive terms in a new book, Coaches' Secrets.

He managed Les Bleus between 1992-93 when Ginola represented the national side.

"David is absolutely incensed," a spokesman for Ginola told BBC Sport. "Houllier should stop talking like this. Stop singling David out."

The pair have had a hostile relationship for many years ever since Houllier singled out Ginola as the reason why France failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup.

With only a draw required and the score at 1-1 when France took on Bulgaria, Ginola misplaced a last-minute cross which led to Bulgaria snatching a winner.

The winger complained in his autobiography of 2000: "Houllier blamed me for 'murdering' France's bid to qualify for the 1994 World Cup finals.

"My 'crime' was to over-hit a cross aimed for Eric Cantona during our last qualifying match against Bulgaria in Paris."

The first court date is scheduled for December 12 in Toulon.