French players Mutiny

[Cheeta]

Crash and burn without survivors.

Just great

[Vic]

Wow. Thanks for the link...

[beachesl]

We need Litterbox the fly to get the real story behind this!

[The Ref]

France shouldn't be there. This is football not handball. All federations sign a commitment document with FIFA that they will not withdraw until they fail to advance further. So the French will have to play whether they trained or not. I guess one of the assistants will need to be in charge to smooth things.

[TheKottonmouthed]

I predicted this collapse by the French, it's called karma, yet I feel it's a total disgrace by the french team and really most of them should never be allowed to see the international pitch again. It seems the players feel they can coach themselves.

[BearcatSA]

As suggested in the story's comment section, I'll bet the Irish are thrilled. Mind you, they also had considerable internal strife the last time they were at the World Cup.

[Unnamed Trialist]

It is still outrageous that they won't train. We have all seen players who have not been paid in months on the field, training, even winning games, proving themselves marvellous professionals despite under contract to corrupt organizations. Because there are players who are totally committed to the game and to their responsibility to their teammates, fans, to the principle of playing the sport. I watched Girona all year in 2nd div Spain and they were totally mistreated and conned by the club, but still fought, beat relegation in the last minute of the last league match last night. Then put on their t-shirts calling for better treatment and to be paid.

I give this example because the first ones to screw up were those in the French federation, announcing Blanc as future coach with Domenech at the helm. I mean, I really dislike Domenech, but he is coach, you have to go with what you have and not sabotage your own coach. The French FA screwed up first, they are obviously chaotic. The players suspect someone in the technical staff blew the whistle on Anelka (who says reports of his comments to the coach were incorrect), and it was Evra in fact who said there was a traitor in their midst. Perhaps he suspected someone close to Domenech.

But none of that excuses you as a player. You have to train, fight to win, show honour. Then go home and complain all you want, but do your part first, if not you have no leg to stand on.

If I were the French FA I would ban all those who walked off the training field for the future squad, simple as that.

[Vic]

Oh yeah, the French FA blew it. And the English too, signing Capello to the long term contract just before the tournament started.

"..committed to the game and to their responsibility to their teammates, fans, to the principle of playing the sport"

"You have to train, fight to win, show honour"

Agree 100%. Also an interesting backdrop to diving and time-wasting.

I think it was NZ's second sub where the guy on the sideline actually motioned the player coming off the field to slow down. Never seen that before...

[jpg75]

What a complete and utter disgrace.

[jpg75]

Another article, this one with a slightly different twist. Says Duverne the conditioning coach was arguing with Domenech and not Evra.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer...-to-new-depths

Valentin, the team director says he's "ashamed" of the team.