World Cup South Africa 2010

Sunday, June 20, 2010

France continues infighting, refuse to train, director quits

World Cup South Africa 2010
Click this now

A training ground argument between French captain Patrice Evra and fitness coach Robert Duverne had to be broken up by manager Raymond Domenech.

This was followed by the team's refusal to train and the resignation of team director Jean-Louis Valentin on Sunday.

This comes a day after the revelation that striker Nicolas Anelka was being sent home early because of his profane words for Domenech and Evra's public assertion that they have a traitor in the team that must be eliminated. The French are in a full-blown meltdown now. Mayhem is upon them.

“It’s a scandal for the French, for the young people here. It’s a scandal for the federation and the French team,” Valentin said. “They don’t want to train. It’s unacceptable.

“As for me, it’s over. I’m leaving the federation. I’m sickened and disgusted,” said Valentin, who walked away from the training field, got into a car and drove off.

After the argument between Evra and Duverne that ended with Duverne throwing his badges to the ground and walking off (UPDATE: France Football reports that the spat began with Evra accusing Duverne of being the traitor), the team boarded their bus.

Domenech then read a letter from Evra and the players to the press saying that they were boycotting training in support of Anelka, who reportedly announced his international retirement after his dismissal on Saturday.

By Brooks Peck

Labels: 2010 football world cup, 2010 soccer world cup, 2010 world cup, fifaworldcup, football world cup, soccer 2010, world cup news, world cup online, world cup soccer, world cup south africa