Justice Poétique
Thierry “Le Hand of Dieu” Henry’s notorious foul play which helped France qualify at Ireland’s expense was never far from the minds of those who yesterday saw hosts South Africa beat Les Bleus in their final game.
Outgoing France coach Raymond Domenech said he felt “a great sadness” after Les Miserables failed to qualify from their group, but Ireland supporters welcomed the result, avec plaisir.
The disgraced French squad finished with just one point, finishing last in Group B with performances on and off the field of play which were more “les boules” than world-class soccer.
Striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home for verbally abusing Domenech during last week’s 2-0 defeat by Mexico and the players subsequently boycotted a training session on Sunday.
After the one-time champions’ dreams were reduced to flambé, former captain Laurent Blanc was chosen to replace Domenech as France coach, but for a team that scored just one goal in the tournament – plus ça change, plus c’est la meme (the more things change, the more they stay the same.)
“They showed real heart, real fight, real generosity of spirit out there today,” said the sacked coach, who appeared to get involved in a verbal altercation with opposite number Carlos Alberto Parreira at the final whistle. As Domenech heads home to face an inquisition from the French football authorities and the media, he said: “I feel great sadness at what has happened not only for myself but for the French people.”
And as the curtain dropped on this World Cup’s cause célèbre, Ireland fans were probably reflecting on his comments and thinking: “What a pile of crêpe.”
