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.
Excuse me while I…
