Lyon under pre-season cloud

French first division champions Lyon started their pre-season training under a cloud as police questioned striker Sylvain Wiltord, seen here in 2006 in Clairefontaine, while doubts swirled around the futures of midfielders Florent Malouda and Juninho.

French first division champions Lyon started their pre-season training on Monday under a cloud as police questioned striker Sylvain Wiltord while doubts swirled around the futures of midfielders Florent Malouda and Juninho.

The 33-year-old Wiltord, who has one year left on his current contract, was detained and questioned by Lyon police after being caught speeding in his car on several occasions and failing to respond to police charges. He was later released.

Meanwhile, Lyon kick-started their preparations on Monday morning for a record seventh consecutive French league crown under the watchful eyes of new head coach Alain Perrin.

Malouda who threatened to miss the beginning of pre-season training eventually only missed the first session of day one but joined his teammates later on Monday as the squad made their way to their Alpine training camp at Tignes.

The midfielder made it clear at the beginning of the summer he wanted to leave the six-times consecutive French champions for English Premiership side Chelsea but negotiations with the 2006 English champions stalled.

Malouda has four years left on his current contract with Lyon.

Meanwhile according to the club's sporting director Bernard Lacombe, Lyon's Brazilian star Juninho was absent from the first training session after failing to catch a connecting flight from Lisbon to Lyon on Monday morning.

However Juninho, like Malouda, joined up with the squad which included the club's three new recruits, Nadir Belhadj, Mathieu Bodmer and Kader Keita in time for the trip to Tignes.

Another problem to be ironed out before the start of the season will be the dispute between Juninho and Sydney Govou.

At the end of last season Gouvou heavily criticised his teammate's star-like attitude on the pitch and around the club, an attitude that disrupted the harmony within the squad according to the Lyon striker.

Club president Aulas said that Lacombe will soon be getting the pair together to sort out the affair once and for all.

Another blow to Perrin's pre-season plans came on Friday when the club's Brazilian striker Fred fractured his right foot while playing for his country in the Copa America in Venezuela.

The injury has potentially ruled him out for several weeks.

"Fred is suffering from a serious injury which could render him unavailable for a month," added Perrin, "but if it takes longer, we might have to look at signing an additional stiker."

The Lyon squad will stay in Tignes until Sunday, when they play their first pre-season warm-up game against French first division side Lille in Albertville in the Savoy region.