Ronny Turiaf has given his backing to France head coach Claude Bergeaud following the country's poor showing in the recent EuroBasket.

Les Bleus finished in eighth place in the tournament in Spain, meaning they missed out on

		Turiaf averaged 7.4 points and 3.7 rebounds for France at EuroBasket.

A committee, comprising some of the leading names in French basketball, has been set up to look at the state of the national team, and to give its assessment on how it should proceed.

Bergeaud has come under fire for his failure to produce the goods with a top-class squad at his disposal, but Turiaf is behind his coach.

"Claude did what he could," said the Los Angeles Lakers forward.

"He made some choices and despite the numerous negative comments, we didn't get very far.

"Moreover, Claude trusted me - in no way will I not stand up for him."

Turiaf said the players have been kept in the dark about the national team's future, adding in French daily L'Equipe: "I read in the papers that a committee is responsible for managing the situation with the French national team and that we haven't to say a word.

"I am not Tony (Parker) or 'Bobo' (Boris Diaw). But I don't understand who has chosen who.

"Without wanting to start an argument, I would like to understand the criteria better.

"I am waiting for the situation to unravel."