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Blanc proud at France unveiling

Distrokeeper — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:00:00 +0000

New France boss Laurent Blanc has expressed his pride at being selected to lead his country when he was officially unveiled by the French Football Federation on Tuesday.

Blanc, who was a key part of the France team which triumphed in both the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, insisted that even Les Bleus dismal World Cup campaign under Raymond Domenech in South Africa this summer did not deter him from continuing his link with the national team.

“I am very proud to be here as coach of the France team,” he said. “For me, the France team is above everything, it was a thread throughout my career. As a player I experienced difficult times but also some great moments.

“My commitment to the France team is absolute. I had other challenges available to me, but this one with the French team most attracted me. The recent difficult events never called that into question.

“The France team does not belong to anybody. It is for everyone, for you (the media) the same as for me. I understand what the France team represents, the rights and the requirements linked to this jersey.”

Blanc, who left Bordeaux to head up the national team, has signed a two-year contract to guide France through the qualification campaign for Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

Former national team midfielder Alain Boghossian will remain as assistant coach, the role he occupied under Domenech, and is joined by Jean-Louis Gasset.

Blanc has pledged a clean slate for the players who orchestrated a training walkout ahead of this summer’s final group game against the host nation following the dismissal of Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka from the squad.

Blanc said: “The thing which shocked me the most was the group’s behaviour in training 48 hours ahead of the third match against South Africa.”

But he added: “Those responsible for this badly thought-out decision are numerous. It is not for me to decide on sanctions. I am not the bogeyman.

“I will be judged on results, and in order to achieve the best results I must have the best team. If I consider they are the best players in their position, I will take them.

“I will speak with them about what happened but in the FFF’s rules, there are no disciplinary sanctions set out. I will make my decisions based on sporting considerations.”

Pique: Germany aren’t favourites

Distrokeeper — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:00:48 +0000

Gerard Pique says Spain’s semi-final opponents Germany are a “very difficult team” but has cautioned against installing Joachim Low’s men as favourites for Wednesday’s game in Durban.

Germany have been the most impressive team in the knockout stages having defeated England 4-1 and then Argentina 4-0 in the quarter-finals; Low and his young group of players have been painted as the most exciting side in the competition.

Spain were granted that title at Euro 2008, when defeating Germany in the final, but their progression in South Africa has been less stellar having beaten Portugal and Paraguay thanks to solitary goals from striker David Villa.

While Pique has taken note of Germany’s stylish attacking play, he says Spain remain confident in their own ability and will not be overawed by the task awaiting them.

“Germany are a very difficult team, really strong, with a lot of quality, a lot of good players, and it will be difficult to stop them,” Pique said. “I don’t know why they are so impressive. Maybe it is because they have a lot of new young players.

“The likes of Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller and Sami Khedira are new in the team and they are playing great. Some were playing for their Under-21s last summer and they have made the step up.

“I think when you are at the semi-final stage, there are no favourites. It is true because they beat England 4-1 and Argentina 4-0 that they will be in a really good mood. But we will see what happens when we meet them.

“We never have any doubts about ourselves. We always play the same way, the results are good and we have to be confident with our play.”

Spain will have midfielder Cesc Fabregas fit for the semi-final as the Arsenal midfielder, who is yet to start a game for Vicente del Bosque’s side at the tournament, has suffered no ill-effects from landing heavily on his shoulder against Paraguay.

Defender Carles Puyol will start alongside Pique in defence despite suffering from blurred vision after being struck in the face by the ball during the quarter-final victory.

French government denies interfering

Distrokeeper — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:00:09 +0000

The French government has denied claims it has interfered with its football federation after warnings issued by FIFA.

There were suggestions Roselyne Bachelot, the sports minister, had played a part in the resignation of Jean-Pierre Escalettes as president of the French Football Federation on Monday, but that was denied by a government spokesman.

“She indeed indicated that she personally believed his resignation was unavoidable but she did not ask for his resignation,” he said. “There was never any question of the French government interfering in the affairs of the French Football Federation.”

On Wednesday, outgoing coach Raymond Domenech along with Escalettes appeared before a parliamentary commission to explain what went wrong in South Africa.

“It is normal for members of parliament to try to find out exactly what happened because it is a topic that preoccupies French people,” the spokesman added.

FIFA has past history of punishing federations for perceived political interference. Greece were European champions when they were suspended for several days in 2006; Iraq served a suspension in 2008; and Ethiopia were kicked out of their qualifying group for the 2010 World Cup.

Malouda stunned by fallout

Distrokeeper — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 08:00:42 +0000

As the France side prepared to return home in shame – and in economy class, at the insistence of the French FA – Florent Malouda said the address given to the squad by minister for sport Roselyne Bachelot on the eve of the match against South Africa left him stunned.

Bachelot, who was asked to intervene as relations between players, coach and officials deteriorated over the weekend, asked the team: “How would you like people to remember you? What image do you want to leave behind? It’s your kids, our children, for whom perhaps you will no longer be heroes. It is the dreams of your partners, your friends, your fans that you have perhaps broken. You have tarnished the image of France.”

Malouda, who scored France’s consolation goal in the 2-1 defeat to the hosts, said: “I have never been a boxer but it was like you have been knocked out. It was a complete disaster because we chose to express ourselves like this. We didn’t know it would affect so many people. Honestly.

“There are no bad guys. I heard things like we were acting like gang leaders or something like that. Everybody, all the players, agreed to act like this and everybody said that we would take responsibility for what comes.

“We are really sorry for the French population, the French fans – that’s now what we want to show. That’s not what we want people to think about France.”

Gallas doubtful for Mexico meeting

Distrokeeper — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 08:00:41 +0000

France defender William Gallas is a minor doubt for their second FIFA World Cup™ Group A game after missing training with a muscular problem.

The Arsenal player sat out yesterday’s session and was being assessed before training today ahead of Thursday’s clash with Mexico.

Gallas was partnered at the back by Barcelona’s Eric Abidal, a left-back by nature who can play centrally, in the disappointing 0-0 draw with Uruguay in Cape Town on Friday.

Gallas – who was reportedly angered to be overlooked for the captaincy, which went to Patrice Evra – is thought to have only experienced slight muscle discomfort and was rested in training as a precaution.

France coach Raymond Domenech is reportedly set to restore Florent Malouda to his starting line-up having left him on the bench against Uruguay.

Patrice Evra reveals racist abuse

Distrokeeper — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 08:00:29 +0000

New France captain Patrice Evra is happy to be back in Africa – but has revealed the racist abuse he received in his native Senegal.

Evra will lead France out against Uruguay in Cape Town on Friday, but the Manchester United defender decided to overlook Senegal, the country where he was born, to represent France at international level.

“I grew up amid a Senegalese culture at home.” Evra said. “But we became westernised very quickly and when I had to choose between playing for Senegal or France my father told me to follow my heart.

“I opted for France, as that was where I had grown up, but I then came in for lots of abuse in Senegal.

“I was called a monkey who grovels before the white man and labelled a money-obsessed traitor to the nation. But my parents helped me get through it.

“I had not been back to Senegal since the age of 10. I have still not returned. It is 19 years now and I need an incentive to make me go.”

Despite the abuse, Evra is proud that the tournament is being held in Africa for the first time. He said: “I have two wishes. I want to win it for France and hope it is a huge party for football and all Africa with no security problems.

“I often talk about the World Cup with my father. He is now 81 and badly asthmatic. He says seeing me lift the World Cup would be the greatest present he could have before he goes to heaven.”

Nani ruled out of World Cup

Distrokeeper — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 05:00:24 +0000

Portugal have confirmed winger Nani is out of the World Cup after he suffered a collarbone injury.

Nani suffered the problem in training before flying out to South Africa but the problem was not thought to be serious, with the player saying on Monday: “I feel better already.”

However, further tests have revealed the injury is more serious than previously feared and the Manchester United man will now be replaced by Benfica midfielder Ruben Amorim in the squad.

The Portuguese Football Federation said: “Following the injury to the left clavicle suffered by Nani, a daily assessment of the damage and the completion of medical tests, we have concluded he is unable to be competitive.

“The medical file will now be presented to the medical department of Manchester United.

“In light of the report, the Portuguese Football Federation, taking into account the FIFA regulations for the 2010 World Cup, will call-up Ruben Amorim as a replacement.”

We have work to do, admits Gourcuff

Distrokeeper — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:00:36 +0000

France midfielder Yoann Gourcuff accepts his side have work to do before their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ opener against Uruguay on 11 June, but insists they are ready for the tournament. The France squad arrived at their South African training base on Saturday after an underwhelming series of warm-up matches that saw them beat Costa Rica 2-1, draw 1-1 with Tunisia and lose 1-0 to China.

The unconvincing nature of France’s performances have dampened expectations that they can succeed in the tournament and Gourcuff says it is down to the players to make their new 4-3-3 system work on the pitch. “We’re ready, we’re very motivated,” he said. “We’ll have to work, we’ll have to make adjustments and watch the video (analysis) to create understanding (between the players) and make adjustments between us in attacking and defensive areas.”

An injury to defensive midfielder Lassana Diarra prompted coach Raymond Domenech to ditch his tried and tested 4-2-3-1 in favour of the new formation, but France have struggled to create chances and Nicolas Anelka has at times looked uncomfortable in the lone striking role.

Bordeaux star Gourcuff says he and his fellow creative midfielders Florent Malouda and Franck Ribery need to shoulder more of the attacking burden. “We were a bit too slow in the transitions (against China),” he said. “And on crosses, we need a bit more presence in front of goal to help Nico (Anelka), who’s often at the near post. It would be good if there were three or four of us in the penalty area on crosses.”

China’s winning goal came in the form of a wicked free-kick from Deng Zhuoxiang that demonstrated how the Jabulani World Cup ball can be made to swerve and dip in the air. The strike left France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris grasping at thin air and Gourcuff revealed that he, too, has been encouraged to shoot from distance.

“The coaches tell me that you have to shoot at goal,” said Gourcuff. “When the (opposition) defence is very deep, shooting can open up space for the central forward. With the new ball there can be changes in the trajectory. That could be a weapon.”

France kick off their Group A campaign against Oscar Tabarez’s Uruguay in Cape Town next Friday and Gourcuff is expecting a physical encounter. “We played them a year and a half ago at the Stade de France (in a 0-0 draw),” he said. “They’re an aggressive team, hard in the tackle and durable. They play with lots of intensity and have two forwards (Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez) who have talent and good movement.”