France, South Africa, you can both exit stage left now.
Despite their 2-1 victory over France on Tuesday, South Africa didn’t survive its group stage, making it the first host nation not to advance from the opening round.
But hey, at least they won a game, which is more than what France can say.
From FOX Sports.com:
French soccer has been a mess ever since sports daily L’Equipe printed details of striker Nicolas Anelka’s expletive-filled rant at coach Raymond Domenech during halftime of last Thursday’s 2-0 loss to Mexico.
The French soccer federation sent Anelka home Saturday and the French players protested by refusing to practice the following day. Footage of the players refusing to come out of the team bus were beamed back to a shocked nation.
Not even a dressing down by French sports minister Roselyne Bachelot on the eve of the match could inspire Les Bleus. Bachelot called an emergency meeting Monday to tell the players they had let the country down and had one last chance to redeem themselves.
In the stands, one fan flew a French flag with the word “shame” emblazoned on it.
France has not won any of its six matches in major international tournaments (Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup) since the retirement of Zinedine Zidane.
Posted by Christopher Glotfelty (06/19/2010 @ 6:59 pm)
After Nicolas Anelka told coach manager Raymond Domenech “Go f*** yourself” during France’s defeat to Mexico on Thursday, he refused to apologize, despite the wishes of FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes. In due course, Anelka was dismissed from his squad. Now it appears as though the veteran striker would just rather retire from the sport altogether.
From Goal.com:
Multiple reports suggested that Anelka had reacted angrily to Domenech’s questioning of his first half performance and that led to him being taken off at the interval. It had been reported that Anelka launched an obscenity-laden tirade at the coach.
Anelka was also absent from training on Saturday which fuelled rumours that his World Cup was over and that was later confirmed by the French Football Federation (FFF)
But now it seems Anelka has stepped away from the national side for good.
It further compounds a disastrous few days for France, who seem destined to be knocked out of the World Cup and need a win against South Africa in their final game to stand any chance of progressing.
This World Cup has been a complete disaster for France. Remember, this is the team, led by Zinedine Zidane, that made the final in 2006. Now France sits with a meager single point in their pool, and likely won’t advance to the knockout stage.
Posted by Christopher Glotfelty (01/23/2010 @ 3:22 pm)
Back in November, France and the Republic of Ireland met in the second leg of their World Cup play-off qualifier. In extra time, France’s Theirry Henry committed a handball before scoring. The goal propelled France into the World Cup qualification finals. Understandably, many fans of the game were angry. Tensions have eased since then and now Republic coach Giovanni Trapattoni has forgiven the French striker.
From FOXSports.com:
The France international’s handball in the run-up to William Gallas’ decisive goal in November’s World Cup play-off qualifier ended the Republic’s dreams of qualifying for the finals in South Africa.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee ruled this week they had no power to sanction Henry and Trapattoni admits he now has to put the incident behind him.
“The bitterness has passed and what remains is the taste of the good performance and the regret that we didn’t end up in South Africa,” Trapattoni told the programme ‘Dribbling’ on Italian television channel Rai Due.
“With the qualifying round we fought we deserved it.
“But I forgive Henry.”
In his defense, Henry did ask to have the match replayed. It was just an unfortunate outcome for a nation looking for its first World Cup berth since 2006.
