[Ballon d'or Identity]

Ok let's not beat around the bush and go straight to the point.
When you're in a café or public place watching the french team and our almost all black players squad, have you ever heard bad comments or seen people give a " what is this " look at such a sight ?
I'm curious at the reactions outside of France, so if you've ever seen or read something (good or bad), i'll appreciate your comments.

Allez les Bleus.

[gaijin]

No...

Probably in the 1950's, but I don't think its such an issue now. France has had a history of black and foreign players in the national side as well as other national events. The only people who manipulate it for their own sordid propaganda are those in the National Front and other right wing organisations...

I think most people in France couldn't give a toss if the entire team was white, black, beur or Martian - so long as they can win and play good football.

[redtyre]

One can turn this question around; and wonder, is it French influence that sees such successful National Teams in Cameroon of course, as well as Senegal, Togo, Congo and Guinea for starters?

DR Congo is some trouble spot in this world; I'm not for the defections I think they have had (yeh, when they played a friendly in France) but if some players come out of the former colonies, I don't see much wrong with that, the percentages are rather equal on the squad as far as I can see, I've got a t-shirt with a picture of the team on it, it is about 50/50.

The '84 Gold Medal Olympic winning French team was about 100% white.

Onze magazine often has African players on the cover but that is because that magazine is widely read through out parts of Africa. They might even have a different international edition.

[guignol]

not to mantion that the flow goes both ways (admittedly mostly northwards)... kanouté, beye, perhaps ben arfa one day...

[ilv2]

most of my classmates (americans) since they know nothing of the game proceed along the "they aren't french" route, but they get sorted out pretty quickly. It's simply a matter of misunderstanding.

[BenP]

I don't know. Living in the US, its not a big deal seeing as the US basketball team is usually 80% black players.

And as noted above, the traffic goes both ways - French born players go to play in Africa, too - although not necessarily the best ones.

[AfrcnHrbMan]

My friends seem to think that it is a black man's sport in france, similarly to how basketball is percieved in the united states. They think that is all the kids play in the banlieus and that translates to the national team.

[Fonsos]

Originally Posted by Ballon d'or Identity

Ok let's not beat around the bush and go straight to the point.
When you're in a café or public place watching the french team and our almost all black players squad, have you ever heard bad comments or seen people give a " what is this " look at such a sight ?
I'm curious at the reactions outside of France, so if you've ever seen or read something (good or bad), i'll appreciate your comments.

Allez les Bleus.

Nope!!! The ignorance of he wasn't born in France is more of an issue. Funny when you point out that most of the team was born in France or that players like Dhorasoo (East Indian) or Robert are actually African usually get the hunh look. I think most Americans are beyond that issue - from my experience.

Fonsos

[guignol]

Originally Posted by AfrcnHrbMan

My friends seem to think that it is a black man's sport in france, similarly to how basketball is percieved in the united states. They think that is all the kids play in the banlieus and that translates to the national team.

that's not completely inaccurate. it doesn't necessarily translate as "black kids", note that franck ribéry is also from a cité. but in brooklyn or bijlmermeer kids hold faster to that dream than in passy or pacific heights, because that's basically what they've got.