France refuse to train, top French Football Federation official resigns

[makapaaa]

France refuse to train, top French Football Federation official resigns
From correspondents in Knysna, South Africa
June 21, 2010 .France's FIFA World Cup squad refused to take part in a training session in front of the public, according to top French Football Federation official Jean-Louis Valentin who subsequently resigned.

"I am disgusted, I am quitting my post," Valentin told the assembled press.

Valentin quit shortly after France captain Patrice Evra had a shouting match with fitness coach Robert Duverne prior to the scheduled training session which led to embattled coach Raymond Domenech to intervene.

The incident took place as the rest of the squad - minus shamed striker Nicolas Anelka who has been sent home after a foul mouthed tirade of abuse at Domenech - were greeting the members of the public who had been allowed in to watch the session.

Evra departed to acknowledge the public while a furious Duverne, threw his stopwatch towards the far end of the pitch.

France need to beat hosts South Africa handsomely on Tuesday and hope that the Mexico against Uruguay clash does not end in a draw if they are to have any chance of reaching the second round.



Agence France-Presse

 

[Sakon Shima]

France players in mutiny over Nicolas Anelka exclusion


France players in mutiny over Nicolas Anelka exclusion

France's World Cup team refused to train today in protest against Nicolas Anelka's expulsion from the squad.

Published: 4:23PM BST 20 Jun 2010

Disarray: France coach Raymond Domenech has seen his side mutiny after a training pitch bust up. Photo: REUTERS

Anelka was kicked off the team for a profanity-laced tirade against coach Raymond Domenech, whose tactics and management skills have been called into question.

"The French Football Federation did not at any time try to protect the group. They took a decision uniquely based on facts reported by the press," Domenech said, reading a statement on behalf of the players.

<!-- BEFORE ACI -->

• Anelka refused to apologise, says Domenech
• 'France squad traitor must be found'
• Anelka joins hall of shame
• Domenech: a 'human comedy'
• Media attacks World Cup teams
• Nicolas Anelka denies foul-mouthed tirade

"As a consequence and to show our opposition to the decision taken by officials of the federation, all the players decided not to take part in today's training session."

The latest chaotic scene also led to the resignation of France team director Jean-Louis Valentin. "It's a scandal for the French, for the young people here. It's a scandal for the federation and the French team," Valentin said. "They don't want to train. It's unacceptable. "As for me, it's over. I'm leaving the federation. I'm sickened and disgusted," said Valentin, who walked away from the training field, got into a car and drove off.

The team arrived at training as usual Sunday and got off the bus to greet fans, but Domenech and France captain Patrice Evra stayed on the bus longer to talk. When Domenech and Evra finally disembarked, fitness coach Robert Duverne was on the field putting down training cones. Evra then got into an argument with Duverne and Domenech walked over to intervene.

Duverne then stormed off, throwing his accreditation badge to the ground. Evra then handed a letter to the press officer, and the players, en masse, boarded the team bus and drew the curtains. The bus has yet to leave the area. About 200 fans soon started walking away. France drew 0-0 with Uruguay and then lost 2-0 to Mexico in their opening World Cup matches. But they can still advance to the knockout stages with a win over host South Africa, as long as Uruguay and Mexico don't draw in the other Group A match.

 

[allanlee]

Re: France players in mutiny over Nicolas Anelka exclusion

France should have solved the problem before coming into South Africa.
This was not a new problem but had been around since the qualifying rounds many many months ago.

Everyone knew the French were divided into 2 camps...... with Anelka, Patrice Evra, Sagna, Gael Clichy, Malouda, Abou Diaby and Frank Ribery on one camp..... and Yohan Gourcuff, Djibril Cisse, M Valbuena, Andre P Gignac, Sidney Govou, Abu Diarra, Jeremy Toulalan, Anthony Reveillere and Marc Planus in the other camp.

These two groups just couldn't get along together and if they were playing in the same team would ignore the players from the other group.... that was why France's teamwork was non-existant.

 

[Alamaking]

Re: France players in mutiny over Nicolas Anelka exclusion

Everyone knew the French were divided into 2 camps...... with Anelka, Patrice Evra, Sagna, Gael Clichy, Malouda, Abou Diaby and Frank Ribery on one camp..... and Yohan Gourcuff, Djibril Cisse, M Valbuena, Andre P Gignac, Sidney Govou, Abu Diarra, Jeremy Toulalan, Anthony Reveillere and Marc Planus in the other camp.

Foreign based players against home players? Wah I didn't know that, sure bor? I thought it's the old guards not happy with Domenech leave out some good players like Nasri and Benzema, and Henry as bench warmer??

 

[singveld]

Re: France players in mutiny over Nicolas Anelka exclusion

i am sure the french fans enjoy the 12 hours flight to south africa to enjoy the crap their national team gave them.

it is about the same time, they might as well come to singapore.

 

[jw5]

Re: France players in mutiny over Nicolas Anelka exclusion

France should have solved the problem before coming into South Africa.
This was not a new problem but had been around since the qualifying rounds many many months ago.

Everyone knew the French were divided into 2 camps...... with Anelka, Patrice Evra, Sagna, Gael Clichy, Malouda, Abou Diaby and Frank Ribery on one camp..... and Yohan Gourcuff, Djibril Cisse, M Valbuena, Andre P Gignac, Sidney Govou, Abu Diarra, Jeremy Toulalan, Anthony Reveillere and Marc Planus in the other camp.

These two groups just couldn't get along together and if they were playing in the same team would ignore the players from the other group.... that was why France's teamwork was non-existant.

Q: Which camp was William Gallas in?
A: His own camp.

 

[manokie]

Re: France players in mutiny over Nicolas Anelka exclusion

Nicholas Anelka is a huge troublemaker..
Why bring him??? He's not scoring either

I'd rather bring a young striker.. Stupid french shits

 

[Yue Ying]

There's a clear problem in the camp as the players struggle to look Raymond Domenech in the eye.

Fallacy: as Domenech talks to his squad, very few seem to be attentive to what he's saying.

All in this together: the French squad congregate and discuss their imminent refusal to train.

Field of nightmares: despite training at the Field of Dreams stadium in Knysna,
the name means little and it quickly turns sour as the players leave the session as one.

Going home: the squad march back on to the bus as a stunned football world watches on.

The bus, which contains the entire playing squad, leaves the training pitch, giving a new meaning to the slogan on the side of the bus.


​

 

[Yue Ying]

Domenech delivers the statement on behalf of the France national squad.

Coach Raymond Domenech looks like he hasn't a friend in the world as he reads out the squad's statement to hoards of photographers and journalists.

After his squad has left him, the coach faces the world's media.

Domenech can barely be seen as the media circle him; it will only become more intense as the week goes on.

I quit: Jean Louis Valentin storms out of the training session after hearing of the squad's mutiny,
and later quits his role in the French Football Federation.


​

 

[downgrader]

good lah, french didn't deserve to be there in the first place

 

[Ramseth]

FIFA should ban France from future World Cup until France got it's national team discipline in order. This is not only bad example for footballing youths but also very bad example for mature players, especially rich players. They already have millions in their bank accounts. When they're not happy, they abuse the manager, then gang up to hold the reputation of the whole country at hostage. How can this be right?

I'm not a France fan, but if they lose, I'd like to see them losing honourably too.

 

[Leongsam]

Too many blacks in the squad.

 

[scroobal]

The day Anelka walked into football, it has been a mess. He and his brother who managed him created enough mess that they were nearly kicked out of football. I thought he learnt his lesson. A gifted but selfish player.

Just watch the games - never tackles anyone and just waits for a golden pass.

 

[bodycells]

if they cannot unite as a team, they can forget about playing. anyone bet against them will win.

 

[shOUTloud]

The coach is fucked up as well. Basically France won their only World Cup cos they happened to have a good mix of talented players coming together at one stage with Zidane recognised as the numero uno.

Anyway, dun touch the last game between France and S Africa. They might just click or self-destruct. Although I think it will be S Korea/Japan 2002 all over again.

 

[Talking Donkey]

Good riddance to the france team,the era team of 82 and 94 is badly missed.

 

[jw5]

If the team was really divided into 2 camps, why did they all decide not to train?
Seems rather united to me.
Perhaps the problem is with the coaching staff.

 

[cass888]

FIFA should ban France from future World Cup until France got it's national team discipline in order. This is not only bad example for footballing youths but also very bad example for mature players, especially rich players. They already have millions in their bank accounts. When they're not happy, they abuse the manager, then gang up to hold the reputation of the whole country at hostage. How can this be right?

I'm not a France fan, but if they lose, I'd like to see them losing honourably too.

Problem in this day and age is that playing in the world cup is more of a nuisance and potential source of injuries. All the club managers must be happy when the national team that their players play in get kicked out.

 

[singveld]

i think the swiss, namely FIFA is stirring trouble in france so that their pet, south africa can go pass round 1.

 

[no_faith]

according to sum soccer websites. erva is going to reveal the truth behind the ugly scene.

wat will it be?