Le Bleus kick out Anelka
Source: Agencies |
June 20, 2010, Sunday
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NICOLAS Anelka has been thrown out of the World Cup squad after insulting coach Raymond Domenech and refusing to apologize, the French football federation said yesterday.
The Chelsea striker reportedly made obscene comments to Domenech at halftime during the 0-2 loss to Mexico in Polokwane on Thursday, and then refused to apologize when asked to do so by FFF President Jean-Pierre Escalettes.
"Faced by the refusal of the player to publicly apologize, he (Escalettes) took the decision in total agreement with the coach and the official members of the delegation present in Knysna to exclude Nicolas Anelka from the squad," the FFF said in a statement. "He will leave the French team camp this evening."
The FFF said that captain Patrice Evra was also present with Escalettes when the decision was taken.
Federation Vice President Noel Le Graet earlier told France's RTL radio, "The decision has just been taken ... It's shocking, because if anyone has protected Anelka, it's Domenech."
Anelka was not a France's training session at its World Cup base in Knysna earlier in the day.
The player's insults at Domenech, according to French sports daily L'Equipe, came after the coach criticized his attitude on the pitch before deciding to take him off for the second half.
French Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot also reacted to the report, urging the France players to show dignity.
"The very high pressure weighing on Les Bleus does not authorize any form of slip-up," she said in a statement. "The players must keep in mind that they're wearing France's colors and are considered as role models by many youngsters. This obliges them to show restraint and dignity."
The Chelsea striker reportedly made obscene comments to Domenech at halftime during the 0-2 loss to Mexico in Polokwane on Thursday, and then refused to apologize when asked to do so by FFF President Jean-Pierre Escalettes.
"Faced by the refusal of the player to publicly apologize, he (Escalettes) took the decision in total agreement with the coach and the official members of the delegation present in Knysna to exclude Nicolas Anelka from the squad," the FFF said in a statement. "He will leave the French team camp this evening."
The FFF said that captain Patrice Evra was also present with Escalettes when the decision was taken.
Federation Vice President Noel Le Graet earlier told France's RTL radio, "The decision has just been taken ... It's shocking, because if anyone has protected Anelka, it's Domenech."
Anelka was not a France's training session at its World Cup base in Knysna earlier in the day.
The player's insults at Domenech, according to French sports daily L'Equipe, came after the coach criticized his attitude on the pitch before deciding to take him off for the second half.
French Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot also reacted to the report, urging the France players to show dignity.
"The very high pressure weighing on Les Bleus does not authorize any form of slip-up," she said in a statement. "The players must keep in mind that they're wearing France's colors and are considered as role models by many youngsters. This obliges them to show restraint and dignity."
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