Patrice Evra's ban upheld by FFF and Carlos Queiroz sacked by Portuguese Football Federation
French football team mainstay Patrice Evra has lost out on his appeal against the five-match ban handed to him by the French Football Federation. The ban was handed to Evra in relation to the player strike that took place in the World Cup in South Africa. After the match against Mexico, Nicolas Anelka was sent home as he was involved in a spat with the manager Raymond Domenech at half time. The incident somehow made its way in the newspapers and the French Football Federation acted by suspending Anelka and sending him home. The rest of the squad was not happy with the Federation’s decision, and in reply, decided to boycott team practice next day.
An official statement issued by the French Football Federation on their website said, "The Appeals High Commission, which met today to consider the appeal by the player Patrice Evra, has decided to confirm the five-match sanction for non-selection by Team France."
France had a nightmare 2010 World Cup campaign. They did not mange to win any of their group matches and were knocked out at the group stages. This was the first time in the history of the World Cup that both finalists from the last (2006) World Cup were sent home in the first round. Italy, the World Cup winners in 2006, were also eliminated at the group stages.
France drew their opening match against Uruguay 0-0. This was followed by a defeat at the hands of Mexico and the final match was probably the worst where they lost 3-1 to hosts South Africa.
After the World Cup, Raymond Domenech was sacked as the manager, and Laurent Blanc was appointed to the top spot. All 23 players who played in the World Cup for France had been suspended for the first game after the World Cup. France lost that friendly against Norway 2-1.
The Euro 2012 qualifying campaign has also not started ideally for France; they lost the first match 1-0 against Belarus though they did manage to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 in Sarajevo.
Meanwhile, some other news coming from world football is that Carlos Queiroz, the Portugal coach, has been relieved of his duties by the Portuguese Football Federation.
The decision comes a week after Queiroz was suspended by the Federation for 6 months for not cooperating with WADA’s doping tests.
The former Manchester United assistant manager was also under fire from the media and fans for his tactical approach in the World Cup with Portugal, and later in the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
An official statement from the Portuguese Football Federation stated that “the contract of Carlos Queiroz is terminated with immediate effect.” The decision has been communicated to Carlos, who will be notified of the reasons personally.
Queiroz took over the job over a year ago, and still had 2 years left on his contract. Rui Patricio, the lawyer for Queiroz, said that it was “the inevitable path”, but that his client is not satisfied with the decision and does intend to fight. He added, "We are not satisfied with the fact that Queiroz's rights are not being respected."
Patricio further said, "If the contract has been terminated without just cause, there has to be compensation. If there has been interference from the government then international organisations, and I mean FIFA of course, will be alerted."
Tags: