France refuse to train, managing director quits

Re: French training ground bust up (video)

Rotten snails.

F)(*(*&K the Irish, I am sick of this Hippocratic Irish love. Why don't we take this cheating further, Ireland got bogus Penalty against Georgia. Google it and watch it on Youtube late in the game. A draw would have put Bulgaria on collision course with France NOT IRELAND. With nothing to play for Bulgaria quit. Why don't you fell sorry for Bulgaria?

Irish hands are just as dirty, and they didn't even have to apologize explain,
no demands for replay! After the bogus penalty Keane scored, Ireland celebrated, they felt no shame, their supporters felt no guilt, Bulgarians got upset for few days and life went on.

Re: French training ground bust up (video)

This is hilarious.

Bull, Players don't like Gourcoff because he is overrated and French media is trying to big him. He is not good when rushed and needs lot of space. Against teams with aggressive midfielder (Ireland, Argentina with Mascherano), Gourcoff nearly pees in his paints. He is intelligent, but not strong, decisive and quick enough to cut it at highest level.

As far as Anelka's outburst; if a player is consistently played out of position, and made to look bad, he has every right to tell the manager to F himself. Domenic wanted Malouda to play defensive midfielder! HE is not a DM, and he wouldn't play well at that position and then get slaughtered for it by the media. Off to the bench for him.

Look at how much crap Abidal had to take for playing out of position.

The Oath hath been decreed - FFF/Les Bleus behavior not exhibited by the Irish, who were indeed screwed by Hand of Frog. Now play nice or Keane-O shall visit and commit egregious fouls on you.

Another interesting tidbit ...

from L'Equipe:

"The problems and friction in the French team are down to a split over one man: Yoann Gourcuff.

Gourcuff comes from a privileged family. He is smart and he is respectful - but he is also still a shy little boy. In his spare time he listens to music, watches films and plays his video game systems. He is, in his own words, a little nerdy.

In a French squad that places more value on how much money you have in your bank account, and what girl is on your arm, Gourcuff doesn't fit.

One incident occurred shortly before the World Cup. Franck Ribery and Sidney Govou had organised a night out at well known gentleman's club in Paris. Several players, including Gourcuff decided to stay home. When Ribery heard about this he immediately confronted Gourcuff and asked 'does your mother not allow you to go, you homosexual slur'

This is one of many incidents.

Ribery is the main instigator in the bullying, however he is far from alone. On the pitch, Gourcuff plays within himself. Scared because he fears the verbal retribution he will receive after the match from his tormentors.

In the squad, Gourcuff can count on only 4 real allies. His best friend Hugo Lloris, his teammate Jeremy Toulalan, elder statesmen Thierry Henry and captain and the glue that holds the team very loosely together, Patrice Evra.

When Raymond Domonech bowed to player pressure and dropped Gourcuff for France's second group match, that was the catalyst for the situation in which we now find ourselves. "

I very much doubt the team will simply go through the motions. For a start, if a goal is scored by Uruguay-Mexico, it opens the door for advancement. Also, if it becomes too obvious that the players don't care and allow South Africa to run riot the FFF will surely take note and not allow those players to wear the shirt ever again.

Laurant Blanc. Is it safe to say that this kind of revolt won't be happening under his leadership? I'm sure he's much respected by all the players, no?

Very personal stuff. Feel sorry for the Gourcuff guy.

That is, if what you typed out isn't bullshit.

This is the New France, you are invited to cheer.

Let's face it This has got to be a problem from the bottom up, top down left to right and all around. No one is less at fault than any one else.

Having said that though, the players are the face of the organization and really should know that. The public out bursts of descent should not be displayed on the largest stage in your sport. I don't care who you are but if you are a player and your coach puts you in a position just do it and shut up. Anelka had no right to go cursing anyone out.

The FFF is at fault here two cause they already replaced the coach and it is public knowledge. Why should he care about the team if he knows he has been replaced. Why should they respect him if they know he isn't going to be there. No one cares this World Cup and it's a shame. So many other countries would kill to be in their spot and everyone is throwing it away.

Now the way I look at it Yes France can still qualify for the next round if the win against SA which is highly probable but that all depends on whether or not Mexico and Uruguay don't just decide to draw. I mean what is to stop them from being disgusted with the french and not just saying "they obviously don't want to be here so lets send them home" sure it beats extending so much energy to win.

This is disgraceful and I feel sorry for the French people. The English fans have been complaining about spending so much money to fly to SA and having the team play like if they didn't care well that is nothing compared to what is going on in the French camp

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1tj2zJ2Wvg"]YouTube- Guns N' Roses - Welcome To The Jungle[/ame]

Nice pick Catel.

The jungle has taken over Amélie Poulain.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aip3836VtZ0"]YouTube- Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain[/ame]

And you think most of the players care because? After the pathetic display against Mexico, I have to wonder if they even care about wearing the shirt. As a matter of fact, I think they want to just go home and not prolong this situation any further. I don't believe they have any motivation to go pass the group stage.

I have a feeling that they'll want to go home before anyone gets seriously hurt.....

as an observer, this is both fun and sad.

If this is true, links?

About Gourcuff, many quotes from the media here including Le Monde , sorry it's in french, use google translator.

This has gotten out of hand because Ribery is causing much of the problems with in the team. L'Equipe has followed this story for a few years now. He tried to attach himself to Zidane back in 06 but Zidane was aware of his issues then. This was from L'Equipe paper. He is good when he wants to be but he is also an ulcer to the team.

The fact is, France needs to play a system that can accomadate all the stars/egos. It's not like a club team with one or two who run the show. Everyone wants to rome the midfield or attack. They all play out of position because they are not happy. What can the FFF do better? These are the best players France has. Benz and Nasri did not play well this year or more like "at all". How can you pick them over Anelka or Govou or Gourcruff after they had excellent seasons at their clubs? Benz barely made it off the bench for Real Madrid adn Nasri was hurt all the time. My only issue has been with Trezeguet. He should have been on the team. Valbuena was excellent along with Gignac and Cisse. Squillaci, Planus, Reveillere, Malouda, and Anelka had great seasons. I would like to have seen Planus, Gignac, and Valbuena start over the Govou, Gallas, and Diaby. Maybe will see it tomorrow against Bafana Bafana..

Completely disagree. The Coach is the Coach. No player, no matter how many millions they make, has the right to act as such.

Please explain how Dom and the FFF have managed to do so? If they had not sent Anelka home, they would have been chasized for allowing a player to interrupt the team as such and disrespect the shirt.

Dom picked the best players France has with exception to a few but they didn't warrent selection because they barely played for their club team. Just look at England now. Capello says you have to be fit to play in the white shirt but then holds out for both Barry and King. Look now! You have to take players who are playing. Benzema and Nasri just were not there although I may have taken a chance on Benzema. Nasri and Ribery are trouble together and I believe that is why he wasn't considered.

Gallas didn't deserve another chance either. He spoke out one too many times againt the FFF. He is no leader.

What is the manager to do? He played the team in three different tactics and they couldn't perform in any of the but one thing was forsure; in the 4-4-2 they were not scoring goals. They needed to take a chance and put up a more pressured offense. With Lloris in net, they could take that chance.

I just don't get this crap about blaming the manager or organization at this level of play. These are professionals who are all highly paid and know their job. They are the ones failing on the field, not management. They select and train, period. The rest is left up to the players in which they have failed both collectively and individually.

LOL Ribery would be about the LAST person I would follow to a 'gentleman's club'.

Perhaps part of this tension goes back to the scandal that they brought on to the club. I'm sure that involved significant pressure from certain players who were anxious for everyone to keep their mouths shut.

Anyway, he should be an easy enough problem to solve. Just sit some young girls in the seats near the player bench and he'll be happy to stay on the sidelines.

Even if you're not french you could see thing coming. O.K. maybe not that bad, but the French Football Federation should take a big part of the blame too. I mean they've known forever that the players tuned out Domenich and still they kept him as the head coach. Just a really bad move.

A lot of blame to go around for everyone.

The Dutch teams have had problems too, but this is more than the Dutch have had. The Dutch team seems to be happy,so far. If I were a French fan, I would be very mad about this mess.

So the only question that remains now is whether France's 2nd place finish in 2006 is worth enough points to get them a seeded position for 2014.

They don't deserve to be seeded after all that has happened.

I would like to see a complete house cleaning job by Blanc. All the way down through the Youth System. Obviously, the direction the Federation has taken has not been working since 2004.

The success enjoyed by the FFF in 04 and 06 can be attributed directly to Zidane, Thuram, Henry (Pre Barca), and Veira.

On a side note; I was happy with the performance of Cisse, Gignac, & Squillaci. I was too happy with Lloris making that huge error but he picked it up the rest of the match and really kept France in it after that.
Gallas was hugely disappointed and even more so was Clichy who I fully supported coming in. I thought he would have performed much better then what he did. Henry came in and did well too but I believe he knew he had to somehow-fast, fix his name with a good match. He knows things will come out later and he will be thrown into the firing squad I believe. Same with Malouda.

I think Evra is done-saddly but also deservidly. His actions warrent the term Traitor. Before anyone comments about this, just know that I was a huge supporter of Evra. He plays for my beloved Man United and he is an excellent back but this behavior cannot be tolorated. He has lost allot in my eyes and I think this will follow him back to Manchester.