Djibril Cisse regrets France's tumultuous World Cup
French striker Djibril Cisse has said that he regrets the national team's actions during the 2010 World Cup, while saying that it was his input that caused manager Raymond Domenech to stay at his post.
After a heated dressing-room exchange with Domenech during France's goalless draw with Mexico, striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home from the tournament.
The following day, captain Patrice Evra scuffled with trainer Jean-Louis Valentin in training, after which the French players got back on the team bus and abandoned the session.
"I have regrets when I think back to the case of the bus," Cisse, who plays for Greek side Panathinaikos, told daily
France-Soir about the series of events that led up to the team's group-stage exit in South Africa.
"It could have been avoided so easily. But when the machine is started, it's hard to reverse. The blame is collective. No one put their balls on the table and left the bus...It is a regret for me. But it's past."
Convinced Domenech to stay at his post
Cisse approached Domenech after the players' strike to discuss the situation.
The striker, who made 22 appearances for France during Domenech's reign as manager between 2004 and 2010, apparently convinced Domenech not to abandon his post ahead of the final game of the group stage.
"It is true that I had a discussion with Domenech after the strike. After the meeting he wanted to quit. We saw each other and discussed it. It made me sick at heart to see him like that. He said it was me who changed his mind. I think not."
France went on to lose their final fixture against South Africa, while several players, including Evra and Anelka, were handed international bans by the French Football Federation after the tournament. Despite the calamities, Cisse believes Domenech made
the best of the situation.
"Still, he had pride and honour, and wanted to finish on a good note. With him, I knew good and bad times. I've known him for so long. I had his brother as a coach when I was in Arles at eight or nine years old."
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