We, the French people, are not happy with events

Saturday, November 21, 2009

HERE UNDER is the reaction I witnessed from French people following Wednesday’s World Cup play-off second leg against Ireland.

I watched the match in a crowded cafe where bursts of joy after Gallas scored quickly gave way to consternation at Henry’s cheating.

As I cycled back home I didn’t see a single flag being waved in the streets of Mulhouse. I heard only two motorists hooting their horns – there would have been dozens in normal circumstances.

Most of my friends, colleagues and amateur volleyball team-mates are ashamed. The dominant feeling is one of profound uneasiness. This makes me proud to be French because the vast majority of the country – this unfortunately excludes most football officials and politicians – has shown over the past 48 hours that moral values matter more to us than inglorious victory.

Maxime Leroy
53 rue du Nordfeld
68100 Mulhouse
France

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, November 21, 2009