Striker Mpenza takes Belgian break
BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) -- Standard Liege striker Emile Mpenza has asked Belgium coach Aime Anthuenis for a break from the national team after scoring 14 goals in 37 internationals.
"The player has asked the national coach not to select him for the next games," Standard Liege said in a statement on Thursday.
"The player has taken that decision in order to reach a state of serenity and (the decision) is valid for an undetermined period."
The club added that Mpenza would give a news conference on Friday.
Mpenza had a meeting with Anthuenis to discuss his future after RTL-TVI television station said the striker wanted to stop playing international football for a while.
Anthuenis is not expected to comment on the meeting before Friday when he will announce his squad for the friendly international against Turkey in Brussels on April 28.
Belgium failed to qualify for the Euro 2004 finals, which start in June, and do not begin their 2006 World Cup campaign until September 4 when they host Lithuania.
