Anelka thrown out of French squad
KNYSNA, South Africa (AP) — Nicolas Anelka has been thrown out of France’s World Cup squad after insulting coach Raymond Domenech and refusing to apologise, the French football federation said yesterday.
The Chelsea striker reportedly made obscene comments to Domenech at half-time during the 2-0 loss to Mexico on Thursday, and then refused to apologise when asked to do so by FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes.
“Faced by the refusal of the player to publicly apologise, he (Escalettes) took the decision in total agreement with the coach and the official members of the delegation present in Knysna to exclude Nicolas Anelka from the squad,” the FFF said in a statement. “He will leave the French team camp this evening.”
Anelka confirmed he had an argument with Domenech — but that it was meant to stay within the team.
“I indeed had a heated conversation with the coach, but it happened within the confines of the changing rooms, between the coach and me, in front of my teammates and the staff,” Anelka told the website of France Soir newspaper.
“That should never have come out of the changing rooms. I don’t know who can benefit from that, but repeating these kind of things certainly doesn’t help (the team).”
The FFF said that France captain Patrice Evra was also present with Escalettes when the decision was taken, adding that Anelka’s comments are “totally unacceptable for the FFF, French football and the values it defends.”
Anelka said he regrets having upset his teammates. Previous reports said he had fallen out with France midfielder Yoann Gourcuff, demanding that Domenech drop Gourcuff from the Mexico game.
“My aim was never to destabilise the French team, an institution I respect. I accept my exclusion from the France team and I wish them good luck,” Anelka said. “I have a lot of respect for the France team, I equally have a lot of respect for all of my teammates without exception, I insist on that point.”
Evra said a “traitor” among France’s World Cup staff must have leaked details of Anelka’s rant.
It “came from someone in this group, who wishes the French team harm,” Evra said. “The problem isn’t Anelka, it’s the traitor among us, you have to say it.
“How can this come out?”
Two unconvincing performances in the 0-0 draw with Uruguay and against Mexico had observers like former France defender Bixente Lizarazu furious at Anelka’s casual attitude.
“What bothers me is Nicolas Anelka’s performance in the first half. I saw a player strolling… strolling in the World Cup!” Lizarazu said. “He wasn’t aggressive, wasn’t interested in the game. Domenech took him off at the break, but should have done so before. You shouldn’t play in a selfish manner, you have to show you’re up for it.”