Former United star Cantona heading to Dubai

Dubai: Former France and Manchester United star Eric Cantona will be the star attraction in Dubai later this week when he leads a French team in a series of friendly matches during the build-up for the 2009 Fifa World Beach Soccer World Cup.

Cantona is the coach of the national team and, barring some last-minute changes, is confirmed to be in Dubai late Sunday.

"Last week, Eric's wife delivered a baby, but when I spoke to him a couple of days back, he confirmed to us that he will come to Dubai with the team," said Joan Cusco, Member of the Fifa Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee.

After his retirement from football, Cantona got involved in promoting beach soccer and successfully led his team to the World Cup title in Brazil in 2005 when France beat Portugal in the final.

"For the moment, he has confirmed 100 per cent that he will be in Dubai on November 8," Cusco said.

France is scheduled to play friendly matches against Uzbekistan (November 9) and the UAE (November 11) as a build-up for the 2009 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup to be held at Umm Suqueim Beach in Jumeirah from November 16 to 22.

France failed to qualify for the World Cup this time.