Tag Archives: French soccer

World Cup Update: French Player Says “Everyone in the whole world is mocking us now!”

And for once, the French apparently do get it. (Although it truth, we have been mocking them for years.) After playing poorly in the World Cup (a draw and then an unexpected loss), tempers have boiled over on the team and players–in front of the press and fans–actually refused to get off the bus to practice Sunday. Accusations are flying back and forth and the end result is that three of Europe’s most respected soccer nations (England, France & Italy) are all in trouble in only the early rounds of play. What does that mean for you? More off-field drama than on. Better than no drama at all, we guess.

Here’s more from ESPN who has desperately been trying to sell soccer to American fans:

The latest round of turbulence also led to the resignation of France team director Jean-Louis Valentin, who said he was fed up with the team. “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.”

Before getting in a car and driving off, he added: “As for me, it’s over. I’m leaving the federation. I’m sickened and disgusted.” Tensions boiled over after the team arrived at training and got off the bus to greet about 200 fans who had gathered there. Domenech, whose tactics and management skills have been questioned, stayed on the bus to talk to France captain Patrice Evra.

Meanwhile, fitness coach Robert Duverne was on the field putting down training cones. After Domenech and Evra got off the bus, Evra and Duverne started to argue. Domenech tried to intervene, but Duverne then stormed off, throwing his accreditation down the field. “Everyone in the whole world is mocking us now,” winger Franck Ribery said on television hours before training even started. “I’m gutted, because we’re not playing football any more.”

Ooh La La! French Soccer Players in Trouble Over Sex With Underage Prostitute

Just when you think there’s no way anyone could look like a bigger jerk then Ben Roethlisberger, comes the story of three top players for the French national soccer team (involved in the upcoming World Cup) accused of having sex with an underage prostitute.

Less than two months before the start of the World Cup in South Africa, the French national soccer team, its on-field reputation in decline, is dealing with a sex scandal involving several players and under-age prostitutes.  Outrage has been building over the last week, with reports that at least three key players were questioned during a police investigation into a high-end prostitution ring. Now there is concern that the players will not be named to the World Cup team, which will be announced next month.

Three French players — Franck Ribéry, 27; Sidney Govou, 30; and Karim Benzema, 22 — are accused of soliciting sex from an under-age prostitute; none of them have been charged with a crime. The scandal revolves around the testimony of Zahia Dehar, 18, who was a minor when she said she had a relationship with two of the players.

Dehar told the police that though she had told the players she was 18 when she met them, she was 16 when she had intercourse with Benzema and 17 when she met Ribéry, with whom she says she had a relationship. Govou’s role in the investigation is unclear, but Dehar said she was 18 when he approached her. Although prostitution is legal in France, soliciting it is not, and clients risk a penalty of up to $60,300 and three years in jail for employing an under-age prostitute.

SOURCE: Players’ Sex Scandal Could Follow France to World Cup – NYTimes.com

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