Jun
20
Anelka sent home
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Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for France at this World Cup, news has emerged that striker Nicolas Anelka has been sent home after insulting coach Raymond Domenech.
The Chelsea star-man was substituted at half-time in the game vs. Mexico, a change that really didn’t help France at all, as they went on to lose 2-0. Anelka exchanged heated words with his coach (his exact comments aren’t print-friendly), and later on refused to apologize. He was absent from France’s squad in training the following day, and the French Football Federation have deemed it necessary to remove him to preserve “team harmony”.
It’s a sad situation from which there is nothing positive. Yes, Anelka should have kept his temper, but having to do without their main striker pretty much ends all French hopes of getting out the group stage. Also I’m sure many fans would have loved to give the same verbal barrage to Domenech, whose poor tactics have cost his country dear. From a possible strike-force of Henry, Anelka and Benzema, they are now left pretty much with nothing.
As for Anelka, it would surprise many people to learn this was his very first World Cup, and probably his last. He has often fallen out with France’s coaches, and this latest incident looks likely to be the end of his international career. Shame that such a prominent Premiership player never got to shine at the biggest stage of all.