Sports

How It Went Wrong For France In S’ Africa

Published

16 years ago

June 27, 2010

France’s trip to the World Cup has descended into something like a plot from a complex thriller, with the team’s on-field implosion against Mexico the catalyst for an off-field explosion last weekend.

The events of the past days dramatically lifted the lid on the France camp to reveal a grubby underside that is still made muddy by claim and counter-claim in the media.

From the time Raymond Domenech’s side arrived at their training base in Knysna, they have been surrounded by a veil of secrecy, very rarely expressing themselves freely to the media.

The team was locked away as tightly as possible for such a high-profile squad at an event of such magnitude, but even under such close supervision rumours started to spread of a distinct unease.

Domenech has never engendered a great love from the players of the national team, so it was little surprise that the media, who have nothing but contempt for a man who has routinely dodged their questions by answering in a ridiculously cryptic fashion over the last few weeks, were quick to smell blood.

Of course they were aided by allegations that Franck Ribery had conducted congress with a teenage prostitute in Paris just weeks before the World Cup.

And then there was William Gallas’ refusal to speak to the media in the build-up to the competition. His curtain of silence prevented the centre-back from explaining his grievance fully, though most pundits agree that it was instigated by Domenech’s decision to select Patrice Evra as captain.

Just 24 hours before Les Bleus’ opening game against Uruguay came further, and more serious, hints of trouble.

Florent Malouda reportedly had to be held back by Evra from his coach after a training ground disagreement. Domenech believed that ‘Flo’ was acting in too aggressive a manner, leading to the Chelsea player being axed to the bench against Uruguay, a game that was allowed to tamely drift to a scoreless draw and was crying out for the winger’s direct running.

Six days passed without obvious incident, but the fixture against El Tri in Polokwane would start to peel away the layers of protection surrounding l’Equipe de France.

For 45 minutes against Mexico, Les Bleus unsteadily matched their opponents, but after the half-time break there was a distinct change in mood. France’s players suddenly seemed less willing and less concentrated; as if someone had flicked an off button on their performance.

In the wake of the 2-0 loss, which has left France staring at the exit door, reports quickly revealed the events that went on in the bowels of the Peter Mokaba Stadium. Nicolas Anelka, a man not noted for his cool temperament, had a huge fall-out with Domenech.

“Go f*** yourself, you dirty son of a b****,” the media have reported the frustrated Chelsea striker, who later rejected a chance to apologise for the incident, to have said.

Evra has denied that these were the words used by his team-mate, but he has not denied that a ‘clash’ took place. How the media got wind, he only has one explanation.

“This comes from someone who is on the team and wants to hurt the team,” he told the media, explicitly using the word “traitor” to describe the unknown anarchist.

Suspicion clearly lingers around the France squad. Like a good murder mystery, many players, perhaps even staff, have motives, but no-one will shoulder the blame.

But the Anelka saga is not the only controversy to have arisen from the Mexico match. A band of mutineers (Evra, Gallas, Ribery and Thierry Henry), led by retired ace Zinedine Zidane, who was said to have controlled the dressingroom during Les Bleus’ run to the 2006 World Cup Final, is rumoured to have instructed Domenech to reshuffle his formation, dropping Yoann Gourcuff and Sidney Govou in the process.

The coach seemed to be giving the move some thought, but once he learned of Zidane’s influence, he reverted to his original plan.

Domenech, who gives up his post after the World Cup, disappeared on Saturday when he should have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Evra and was labelled “the Invisible Man” by France Football. The stubborn 58-year-old has finally broken, though that seemed apparent from his countenance as Mexico overran his side.

While reports of unrest in squads are not uncommon, England are presently having to fend off such claims, the sheer scale of turbulence in the France squad is monumental. And this is not the end; there are more revelations to come, and more ugly twists in Les Bleus’ World Cup tale, which isn’t even officially over yet.

On Sunday, just a few minutes after taking the field for a training session at their Knysna base, captain Patrice Evra and fitness coach Robert Duverne became involved in an argument. Domenech stepped in and Duverne stormed away as the players walked off and boarded the team bus.

The coach returned moments later to read a statement from the squad to the assembled media. “All players without exception want to declare their opposition to the FFF decision to exclude Nicolas Anelka,” it said.

The statement added the players were angered the Anelka-Domenech row had become public and criticised the FFF “which at no time tried to protect the squad”.

France went ahead to lose 1-2 to South Africa in the last group match to crash out of the world cup without a victory.

Good luck Laurent Blanc, you have a huge job on your hands to rebuild trust amongst this fragmented squad as the coup de grace finally puts France out of their South Africa misery.

Sports

Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.

Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.

However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.

Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.

Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.

Sports

City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.

The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.

City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.

But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.

Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.

Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)

Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.

Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).

In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.

West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.

The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.

And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.

Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.

But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.

Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.

Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.

Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.

Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.

Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.

Sports

PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.

The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.

PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.

Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.

Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.

Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.

Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.