Italy held again, French implode
Source: Agencies |
June 21, 2010, Monday
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PARAGUAY beat Slovakia yesterday to extend Latin America's remarkable run at the World Cup and Italy was held 1-1 yet again, but there was chaos in the French camp when a row halted training and sparked a walkout and resignation by a senior team official.
The France players boycotted a training session yesterday in support of Nicolas Anelka, a day after he was kicked out for insulting coach Raymond Domenech.
The France coach read out a statement by the players in which they explained they had decided not to train to protest against the decision to send the striker home.
Anelka was removed after insulting Domenech at halftime of a 0-2 defeat by Mexico last Thursday in Polokwane.
"The players are unanimously against the French Football Federation's decision to expel Nicolas Anelka", said the statement.
Yesterday's public session had already been halted after a furious row between captain Patrice Evra and fitness coach Robert Duverne, leading to the immediate resignation of team director Jean-Louis Valentin.
"It's a scandal," Valentin said, walking off the pitch at a resort in Knysna. "I'm resigning ... I'm going back to Paris."
The French players went back to the bus.
France, facing an early exit, still plans to play its final Group A game against South Africa in Bloemfontein tomorrow.
Latin American teams have lit up the early stages of the World Cup, with seven wins and three draws. The only defeat was among themselves when Chile beat Honduras.
In Bloemfontein, Paraguay won 2-0 thanks to a neat flick by Enrique Vera and a late shot from Cristian Riveros to leave it comfortably on track for the second round.
"It was a great match. We scored and feel close to the round of 16. I think we can reach that. We'll play the next match as if it's the final," said Paraguay goalscorer Vera.
In Nelspruit, world champion Italy was held to a surprise 1-1 draw for the second time after coming back from a goal down against rank outsider New Zealand.
Italy, whose chances of reaching the last 16 now hang in the balance, went a goal down as early as the seventh minute when Shane Smeltz poked the ball home from close range after the Italian defense failed to clear a long free kick.
The world champion equalized in the 29th minute with a Vincenzo Iaquinta penalty after Daniele De Rossi had his shirt tugged in the box but despite pressing for most of the match could not find a winner.
Paraguay leads Group F with four points from Italy and New Zealand on two and Slovakia on one before the final group games.
The France players boycotted a training session yesterday in support of Nicolas Anelka, a day after he was kicked out for insulting coach Raymond Domenech.
The France coach read out a statement by the players in which they explained they had decided not to train to protest against the decision to send the striker home.
Anelka was removed after insulting Domenech at halftime of a 0-2 defeat by Mexico last Thursday in Polokwane.
"The players are unanimously against the French Football Federation's decision to expel Nicolas Anelka", said the statement.
Yesterday's public session had already been halted after a furious row between captain Patrice Evra and fitness coach Robert Duverne, leading to the immediate resignation of team director Jean-Louis Valentin.
"It's a scandal," Valentin said, walking off the pitch at a resort in Knysna. "I'm resigning ... I'm going back to Paris."
The French players went back to the bus.
France, facing an early exit, still plans to play its final Group A game against South Africa in Bloemfontein tomorrow.
Latin American teams have lit up the early stages of the World Cup, with seven wins and three draws. The only defeat was among themselves when Chile beat Honduras.
In Bloemfontein, Paraguay won 2-0 thanks to a neat flick by Enrique Vera and a late shot from Cristian Riveros to leave it comfortably on track for the second round.
"It was a great match. We scored and feel close to the round of 16. I think we can reach that. We'll play the next match as if it's the final," said Paraguay goalscorer Vera.
In Nelspruit, world champion Italy was held to a surprise 1-1 draw for the second time after coming back from a goal down against rank outsider New Zealand.
Italy, whose chances of reaching the last 16 now hang in the balance, went a goal down as early as the seventh minute when Shane Smeltz poked the ball home from close range after the Italian defense failed to clear a long free kick.
The world champion equalized in the 29th minute with a Vincenzo Iaquinta penalty after Daniele De Rossi had his shirt tugged in the box but despite pressing for most of the match could not find a winner.
Paraguay leads Group F with four points from Italy and New Zealand on two and Slovakia on one before the final group games.
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