'Isolated' Henry looks for sympathy

France veteran Thierry Henry has today said that he felt “isolated” in the French World Cup squad and spoke of a “sickness” at the heart of the training camp.

“I could have been the older brother but I wasn’t anymore,” said Henry in an interview to Canal+. “I felt isolated, it doesn’t matter who by.

“They didn’t talk to me as they used to. Before they talked to me more. But when you don’t have credibility in a group anymore it becomes difficult.

“I felt isolated and at a certain point, your pride takes a hit.”

Henry, whose handball in their play-off victory against the Republic of Ireland sent Les Bleus to South Africa, admits perhaps justice has been served.

He said: “They always say you get what you deserve...”

Henry believes the Anelka controversy was not the reason behind France’s exit but rather the rot had already set in.

However, the Barcelona striker insists the squad were always united.

“I don’t know whether the Anelka matter was the triggering factor,” continued Henry. “There was certainly a sickness.

“But I don’t think you can talk of clans. I can tell you that I never saw any fights, I didn’t see anyone put any pressure on whoever.

“Decisions were group ones.

“The main reason for this fiasco is that we didn’t play well. Unfortunately we entered into debates, invented stories.

“But we shouldn’t look the other way. We weren’t good enough.

“When a team wins everything can happen, when there are defeats doubt comes in and stories start getting invented.”

Henry played down the rift between Nicolas Anelka and manager Raymond Domenech, which occurred during half-time of France's 2-0 defeat to Mexico, insisting that the Chelsea striker's outburst was not as vitriolic as has been made out.

“That’s not what he said,” added Henry. “It’s up to him to say what he did say. But all I can say is that those were not Nico’s words.

“These things happen in dressing rooms. What made the difference is that it came out.

“I was in the dressing room, I didn’t hear what he was saying. He was grumbling. What hit me is that the person who told the journalist, how could he have heard what Nicolas said?

“I couldn’t hear what he said but I know what he said.”

Anelka’s sudden expulsion from the France squad saw the players refuse to get off the bus and train on Sunday, in a show of support for their vanquished team-mate.

Henry agreed with Evra that the players were perhaps rash to strike but, like his captain, claims they felt they had little choice.

The former Arsenal player said: “The decision was made well before the bus. At the time it was unanimous. Nobody put pressure on anyone.

“We had to show our support for Nico because it wasn’t what he said.

“We knew that he was going to be sent home the next day, without consulting us. They could have talked to him, suspend him from the rest of the World Cup but let him stay with the team.

“But to send him home like that! I had the story of the handball, I was all alone, and I know what that’s like.

“We couldn’t leave a team-mate like that.

“With hindsight, when you look at the consequences you could say it was an error.”

Henry, France’s record goalscorer and second most capped player with 51 goals in 123 appearances, remained tight-lipped on his meeting with Sarkozy, saying only: “It went very well.”

Domenech was already on his way before the World Cup with Laurent Blanc to be announced as his replacement shortly.

However, the ramifications are likely to be plentiful and lengthy.