FIFA To Monitor French Governments Activity
FIFA’s governing body has contacted the sports ministry in France. They did so to inform them that they would be looking into the case of what went wrong in the French squad and would appreciate it if the government did not interfere with the work of the French Football Federation.
The French sports minister, Roselyne Bachelot, has been reported to tell the French government that they would have a look into the mater. After the team was eliminated from the group stages and Nicolas Anelka was sent home for reportedly, abusing the French coach, Raymond Domenech. After the departure of Nickolas Anelka, the rest of the French football squad refused to participate in training the next day as a sign of protest, for the wrong doing to their team mate.
FIFA do not allow governments to get involved with decisions made by the federations. Jerome Valcke who is the secretary general to FIFA, has reminded the French that such behavior would be unacceptable and has warned them that they should not cross the line.
Sport’s minister Bachelot has said that there would be an official investigation to look into what went wrong with the French in South Africa, however he also said that the government would have to intervene since the federation would not be able to do this on their own.
Patrice Evra who is the current captain of the French squad, was not fielded in the final game against South Africa. This was mainly due to the fact that he led the protest which saw the team not going in for their training session the day after Nickolas Anelka was sent home.
Theirry Henry has released a statement saying that, Evra was not at all the leader in this decision of the players since it was mutual and everyone agreed to do so. Thierry Henry said that there was a rift amongst the team and he was left feeling isolated. He said that when he was captain prior to Patrice Evra, every time a player felt a certain way or had something to discuss they would come to him. But this time around no one came to him for advice, help or to discuss their situation with him. Henry also requested a meeting with French president, but the outcomes or the basis of that meeting is still disclosed. Patrice Evra also said that, he would soon go to the media and give all the details of what actually happened but he is currently prolonging the situation till he feels the time is right.
There is a lot of work to be done by the new French coach, Laurent Blanc, if he hopes to rebuild the squad in time for the Euro 2012, but more importantly for the FIFA World Cup in 2014. The way things are going if Blanc doesn’t assert his authority from day one, he won’t be able to control the French squad in what is arguably one of the most bizarre events that has ever taken place in the history of football.
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