After refusing to practice on Sunday because of striker Nicolas Anelkas' expulsion from playing on France’s World cup team due to a heated argument with Coach Raymond Domenech, the French team’s protest dismissal has come to an end, and the team has returned to training. The only disruption to practice came when defender Marc Planus had to cut short his day of training after he took a slight knock to the right knee.
The teams dramatic practice on Sunday, involving another argument between fitness coach Robert Duverne and Captain Patrice Evra was a thing of the past Monday as Les Bleus were back in action preparing to face South Africa on Tuesday. The team must defeat Bafana Bafana if they are to stand any chance of advancing past the group phase and into the last 16. The fate of Les Bleus also rests in the results of Mexico’s match against Uruguay. If the Group A teams draw, France will be eliminated from the tournament.
Former captain for France and World Cup participant Zinedine Zidane is not impressed by the way Domenech has been handling this year’s national team, saying “He’s not a coach. He picked his squad and he has to make them play together”, and attributes Domenech’s biggest problem to his “ego”. Zidane played under Domenech who urged the attacking midfielder to return from retirement to participate in the 2006 World Cup.
Zidane is also displeased with the performance of France players, who have “no teamwork” on the pitch. After the disappointing 0-0 draw with Uruguay, Zidane stated “The players must take responsibility for themselves, more themselves. You have to be straight with each other”.
Zidane has denied rumours that these opinions are undermining coach Domenech because of his “significant influence” in soccer. Since their entry into the World Cup was sealed by a controversial hand ball, France has been under the spotlight illuminating all their team quarrels and disharmonies. “Thinking that I can call the players to put pressure on the coach four years after I have retired is serious,” Zidane said. Zidane clarified his earlier statements about Domenech, insisting that “I never had a problem with [Domenech] but I never had a good feeling for him. But I respected his instructions.”
Domenech's performance during the tournament has been called into questions several times. He will not be returning as head coach for France after the World Cup however, and will be replaced by Laurent Blanc, whose arrival will bring fresh perspective to a team whose confidence and team work is wilting. In addition to the team needing to beat South Africa, the results of the match between Mexico and Uruguay will also affect their placement in the next round. Though their window of opportunity has almost come to a close “Anything is possible” Zidane remaked, who wishes to see France excel in the tournament despite allegations of his inappropriate undermining of Domenech and the teams ever escalating scandals.
Once the World Cup is finished the FFF, French Football Federation, will initiate an investigation into the “catastrophic situation” the France team has found itself in. Player expulsions, staff reassignments, and overall team disharmony will be brought up and questioned. The French sports minister Roselyn Bachelot was asked by the nation’s president Nicolas Sarkozy to look into these matters, citing the “indignation of the French people” as the initiating factor. While speculations fly about who is to blame for these French fiascos, Bachelot said “It’s not yet the right time to take disciplinary action – but that time will come very soon”
Tags: