In a matter of hours South Africa will take the field at Bloemfontein, in anticipation for their match against France. The same cannot be definitively said about the French, their opponents, as inner conflict has torn the team apart and made even their collective appearance at the World Cup doubtable.
In a story blowing through the presses, the French squad have seen player and coach conflict seriously jeopardize the functionalism and reputation of the club, in a debacle that has among other things angered French President Nicolas Sarkozy. As news continues to erupt, a government official has been sent to mediate between the team and the administrative coaches to manage the discord.
French coach Raymond Domenech is in shock and is unsure of whether some of his players will play for their last Group A match game, against South Africa today at Bloemfontein. He must choose his starters with this fact in mind, giving him what he has termed a “selection headache.” The match is absolutely definitive for the French squad, if they are to entertain any hopes of continuing.
When asked about the player rebellion, and players skipping out on the national match, attended to by millions around the world, Domenech replied: “It is a possibility. We will have to take it into account when I compose the team with my staff,” the 58-year-old told a packed news conference tent outside the Free State stadium.
Another loss would undoubtedly make them the embarrassment of the World Cup.
The dispute between head coach and team initiated formally during the second half of France’s second game against Mexico, when striker Nicolas Anelka was ejected from the match for verbally insulting head coach Raymond Domenech in the throes of a dispute. Later it was determined he had been expelled from the World Cup tournament.
But many others have commented that the dispute has its origins earlier, as France had much difficulty in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. In fact, had Thierry Henry not handled the ball in the dying seconds of its qualifying game against Ireland, the French might well not be in South Africa at all.
France Captain Patrice Evra led the protest against the FFF (French Football Federation), seeking to have Nicolas’ Anelka’s case reexamined. Likewise, the captain did not show up for the pre match press conference, an event conventionally attended by coach and captain. Sources have speculated that this could mean Evra has determined to boycott the match against South Africa. A gloomy looking Domenech took questions and appeared physically distraught.
A senior FFF official has also commented that Evra is not alone in his protests, and that other players have voiced concerns and determined to take resistant action. According to the official these players are “past their prime” and will “never see another World Cup” anyway, which presumably somehow justifies their indiscretion from an official perspective.
The involvement of the French Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot suggests that the crisis has reached new heights. She recently flew to South Africa and told players they have “tarnished France’s image,” and that they ought to consider how they wish to be remembered, not just for themselves, but also for the sake of their families and children.
“French football faces a moral disaster.”
Domenech has reaffirmed his allegiance to the FFF and its decision to expel Anelka, telling the press: “The sanction was absolutely justified and I fully support the Federation’s decision (to send Anelka home). Nobody can allow himself to behave that way.” Domenech has also called the team’s decision to possibility sit out the South African match a move of pure “imbecility.”
Critics are understandably having a field day with this story and its relation to France’s history as a history of resistance and revolution.
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