June 19, 2010
GOOD RIDDANCE:
World Cup 2010: France's Nicolas Anelka 'insulted' Raymond Domenech (Associated Press, 19 June 2010)
Reports that Nicolas Anelka launched an expletive-filled tirade at his coach Raymond Domenech have highlighted mounting tension within France's World Cup squad. L'Equipe reported today that Anelka insulted Domenech at half-time during France's 2-0 defeat by Mexico on Thursday when the coach offered him some tactical advice. Anelka was replaced by André-Pierre Gignac.Posted by Orrin Judd at June 19, 2010 11:11 AMThe latest reports of a rift follow newspaper allegations that the midfielder Yoann Gourcuff is an unpopular figure in the squad and that the defender William Gallas is upset with Domenech for giving the captaincy to Patrice Evra. [...]
Jérémy Toulalan, one of only a few players to speak after the Mexico match, fears that the team is now a collection of individual talents with no teamwork.