 France have struggled to find any team spirit or harmony |
France players returned to training on Monday, ending their boycott in protest at the expulsion of Nicolas Anelka. The players started some light running at 1100 local time at the Field of Dreams training complex in Knysna before a period of stretching. The squad were then given some tactical advice during the remainder of the 25 minutes that were open to the press. Anelka was sent home on Saturday after he verbally abused coach Raymond Domenech and then refused to apologise. His team-mates opted to not take part in training on Sunday and the French Football Federation's (FFF) managing director subsequently quit over their actions. President Nicolas Sarkozy has since intervened to try to defuse the situation. Sarkozy asked French sports minister Roselyne Bachelot to extend her stay in South Africa and meet with the players, coach and FFF chief Jean-Pierre Escalettes on Monday.  | We want to forget all about this catastrophe, this absolute disaster of a World Cup, the most shameful episode in the history of our football French football journalist Philippe Auclair |
The FFF has apologised to the people of France for the way their team is behaving. It said the squad's refusal to train was unacceptable and that it would hold an inquiry once France's World Cup campaign was over. And that could be very soon, as France are on the brink of elimination following a draw with Uruguay and a defeat by Mexico in their first two matches. A win against hosts South Africa may not be enough to save France as Mexico and Uruguay, who play each other, need only a point each to qualify. The end of France's participation will also bring an end to the reign of Domenech, with Laurent Blanc set to take over. | WORLD CUP PHOTO ALBUM |
French football journalist Philippe Auclair feels that scenario cannot come quickly enough. "In France, I can tell you one thing, everybody's sick and tired," he said. "We just want to bring this era to an end and start afresh with Laurent Blanc and forget all about this catastrophe, this absolute disaster of a World Cup, the most shameful episode in the history of our football." France legend Zinedine Zidane, who played under Domenech, believes the change in management will resolve the current issues in the team. "I never had a problem with [Domenech] but I never had a good feeling for him," he said. "There's a new coach in Laurent Blanc who will change all of this. "I don't think you can blame one player or another but Laurent Blanc's arrival will change everything that is happening within the team."
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