They qualified thanks to a Thierry Henry’s handball in the qualifying game against Ireland that the referee failed to spot. And what followed thereafter is history. After striker Nicolas Anelka was accused of insulting the coach and subsequently sent back, the French players refused to train protesting Anelka’s expulsion followed by a string of resignations and allegations. As France prepares to take on South Africa in its last league match, let’s look at where does this crisis lead the French to?
Nowhere to be plain honest. First things first, By going on a strike at a global event like The World Cup, The French squad has done an irreparable damage to the image of French football and to an extent, France itself. Even if there is some justification to there version on Anelka’s expulsion, it doesn’t at all justify their refusal to train which makes them look like seven year olds, as one French newspaper put it.
The bottom-line is that by refusing to train, the players have turned their back on various responsibilities that come with wearing French colours on their chest- Responsibilities towards fans, towards sponsors and towards the game itself. And as the great French tragedy will subside in South Africa, unfortunately for the players, the world will never be the same again.
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