France crisis as players revolt
Less than 24 hours after the Chelsea forward was excluded by the French Football Federation (FFF) for refusing to apologise for his verbal attack on Domenech, the rest of the squad took matters into their own hands, boycotting training and issuing a statement supporting Anelka.
Minutes after taking the field for a training session at their Knysna base in South Africa, captain Patrice Evra and fitness coach Robert Duverne became involved in an argument.
Domenech stepped in and Duverne stormed away as the players walked off and boarded the team bus. The coach returned moments later to read a statement from the squad to the assembled media.
“All players without exception want to declare their opposition to the FFF decision to exclude Nicolas Anelka,” it said. The statement added that the players were angered the Anelka-Domenech row had become public and criticised the FFF, “which at no time tried to protect the squad”.
However, the players vowed “to do everything individually and collectively so that France regains its honour [against South Africa] on Tuesday”.
The walkout was prompted by Anelka’s dismissal from the squad after he refused to say sorry for his outburst at Domenech. Anelka exploded in a tirade after the coach criticised him for straying out of position during the goalless first half of their 2-0 Group A defeat by Mexico on Thursday.
The 31-year-old was subsequently substituted before the start of the second half. Last night Manchester United defender Evra accused a “traitor” in the camp of trying to destabilise the squad after the details of Anelka’s row were leaked to the press. But the players felt the need to make a more public stand.
A draw between Uruguay and Mexico tomorrow will confirm France’s elimination from the tournament irrespective of their result against hosts South Africa,
“If we regret the incident that occurred at half-time of the match between France and Mexico we regret even more that an event which belongs within our group was made public,” said the players’ statement.
“For its part, the French Football Federation has at no time tried to protect the group. They made a decision without consulting all the players, only on the basis of the ‘facts’ reported by the press.
“Accordingly, and to mark their opposition to the highest level of French football, all players decided not to participate in the workout.
“Out of respect for the public who came to attend this session we decided to meet with the fans who, by their presence, bring us full support.
“For our part, we have not forgotten our duties. We will do everything individually and also in a collective spirit to bring honour to France with a positive performance on Tuesday night.”
Domenech had stressed earlier in the day that had Anelka apologised he would have allowed him to stay with the squad.
“It was not a confrontation,” said the 57-year-old, whose six-year reign as France boss will end with the country’s participation in the South Africa as he is being replaced by 1998 World Cup-winner Laurent Blanc.
“People cannot imagine the pressure. We are in a dressing room, the coach says something to a player who is already under pressure, he can react angrily, and with strong words.
“He did not react in the most suitable fashion, but it was just a guy sitting in his corner and muttering – that would not have mattered had it stayed there. What was important was that it made the front page of a newspaper and that exposes the internal life of the squad.
“I had another chat with him the next day and I left open the possibility for him to apologise, something which he did not want to do. The decision to exclude him was the right one. He does not have the right to say such things.”
In the wake of yesterday’s events, France team director Jean-Louis Valentin said he would be resigning.
“It’s a scandal for the French, it’s a scandal for the federation and the French team,” he said.
“It is a shame. As for me, it’s over. I’m leaving the federation. I’m sickened and disgusted. Under these conditions, I’ve decided to return to Paris and to resign.”
Last night the French Football Federation condemned Les Bleus squad for refusing to train in the wake of the rumpus over Anelka and after the World Cup. A statement said: “The French delegation and its president Jean-Pierre Escalettes have noted with dismay the refusal of the French players to participate in training.
“Contrary to what the players said, this sanction was taken following a long conversation with the person in the presence of the captain.
“The FFF, speaking through its president, apologise to the country for the unacceptable conduct of the players representing our country that has been created.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
