Nicolas Anelka Kicked Off France Squad For Insulting Manager Raymond Domenech
Nicolas Anelka, striker for France in the World Cup, has been kicked off the team for insults directed at head coach Raymond Domenech. It’s unclear exactly what Anelka said but not surprising as the French have struggled and many have blamed their poor performance on Domenech. France has to win their final group stage match and hope that Mexico v Uruguay doesn’t end in a draw if they want to move onto the knockout stage.
Below is the official statement from the France Football Federation’s website (translated from French).
UPDATE
The French newspaper L’Equipe is reporting that Anealka said the following to Domenech, “Go fuck yourself you son of a whore.”
The words of Nicolas Anelka against the national coach, Raymond Domenech, are totally unacceptable to the FFF, the French football and the values they uphold.
Informed later in the evening of Friday the serious incident during the halftime of the match France – Mexico (0-2), the Federation President Jean-Pierre Escalettes has asked Nicolas Anelka in the presence of the captain Patrice Evra to present an official apology to the French public opinion and to regret his remarks to Raymond Domenech, the staff and 23 players from the team of France.
Upon refusal by the player to deliver a public apology, he made the decision in full agreement with the coach and members of the official delegation attending Knysna exclude Nicolas Anelka group. This will leave this evening the base camp of Team France.
