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France players returned to training on Monday, ending their boycott in protest at the expulsion of Nicolas Anelka.
The players started some light running at 1100 local time at the Field of Dreams training complex in Knysna before a period of stretching.
The squad were then given some tactical advice during the remainder of the 25 minutes that were open to the press.
Anelka was sent home on Saturday after he verbally abused coach Raymond Domenech and then refused to apologise.
His team-mates opted to not take part in training on Sunday and the French Football Federation’s (FFF) managing director subsequently quit over their actions.
President Nicolas Sarkozy has since intervened to try to defuse the situation.
Sarkozy asked French sports minister Roselyne Bachelot to extend her stay in South Africa and meet with the players, coach and FFF chief Jean-Pierre Escalettes on Monday.

We want to forget all about this catastrophe, this absolute disaster of a World Cup, the most shameful episode in the history of our football
French football journalist Philippe Auclair
The FFF has apologised to the people of France for the way their team is behaving.
It said the squad’s refusal to train was unacceptable and that it would hold an inquiry once France’s World Cup campaign was over. (BBC Sport)

So that’s nice of the players. Decided to turn up to training today and who knows probably had arguments amongst themselves before turning their mutual hatred on Raymond Domenech who then probably shrugged his shoulders and started planning in next starting line-up, making very certain that Thierry Henry wasn’t among those on his list.

Hilarious!

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France’s players refused to train on Sunday following Nicolas Anelka’s expulsion from the squad for verbally abusing coach Raymond Domenech.
Domenech read out a statement from his squad which said: “The French Football Federation did not at any time try to protect the group.
“To show our opposition to the decision taken [on Anelka], all the players decided not to take part in training.”
The French Football Federation’s managing director subsequently quit.
Moments before a public training session was about to begin, Domenech had to separate captain Patrice Evra and fitness coach Robert Duverne.
The players then left the pitch and walked towards the bus where they had a meeting with Domenech behind closed curtains.
“I am disgusted, I am quitting my post,” FFF managing director Jean-Louis Valentin said immediately after the incident between Evra and Duverne, before driving off in his car.
“It’s a scandal for the French, for the federation and the French team.
“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.”
Duverne is understood to have stormed away from an argument with Manchester United left-back Evra, throwing his accreditation badge to the ground.
Earlier on Sunday, coach Domenech had played down his row with Anelka and insisted the striker could have stayed with the squad had he apologised.
Anelka was sent home after insulting Domenech during the defeat by Mexico which has left France unlikely to qualify for the last 16.
“I had another chat with him and left open the possibility for him to apologise,” said the 57-year-old. “[That was] something which he did not want to do.” (BBC Sport)

If there was a way to make this World Cup campaign any worse for the French nation then we can’t think of one. There was talk of a curse being placed on the team after they ‘cheated’ their way past Ireland, it was talk that no one paid any heed to at the time but one must wonder if there is indeed some sort of bad karma at work here.

Its got to the point that I am almost quite sad for Raymond Domenech and his squad of troublemakers…almost but not quite.

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Under-fire France boss Raymond Domenech says his team need a World Cup miracle after their shock 2-0 defeat by Mexico.
Uruguay and Mexico meet in their last group game knowing a point will send them both into the last 16, condemning France to an embarrassing exit.
“We need a miracle now,” said Domenech, who will step down after the World Cup.
“When we are forced to rely on others, there’s nothing to say. I don’t have the words, it’s a real disappointment for all the people who believed in us.”
France, World Cup winners in 1998 and runners-up four years ago, followed a 0-0 draw with Uruguay in their opening game with another uninspiring display against a classy Mexico side.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre’s personnel changes proved inspirational, with all three substitutes involved in the second-half goals.
Javi Hernandez scored the first after breaking the offside trap and rounding the keeper, while Pablo Barrera was tripped to allow Cuauhtemoc Blanco to seal the win from the spot.

Domenech, meanwhile, replaced the ineffectual Nicolas Anelka with Andre-Pierre Gignac at half-time but it failed to revive France.
“If we had the answers then we could have done something about it,” said the France coach.
“We had good intentions and desire. I feel just like all of the fans, all the French people. It’s more than just a disappointment.
“At the moment, I don’t know what I will say to the players.” (BBC Sport)

It was always likely to be a bad World Cup for France. Not least because Raymond Domenech has somehow managed to remain in position as coach but also because the entire French team do not like one another, in fact they hate each other. Its almost as though they played badly to spite each other.

Expect Uruguay and Mexico to pass the ball about for 90 minutes. Although there is some talk about either side trying that bit harder to avoid playing Argentina so perhaps France have an outside hope. Of course they will need to score a goal so that could be a problem.

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Although unconvincing in FIFA World Cup qualification – not least thanks to the famous Hand of Henry – France still ought to progress through Group A. Boasting a legion of talent throughout their squad, including Franck Ribery, Nicolas Anelka, and Florent Malouda, they offer a real threat to any side’s chances.

They may well be the dark horses for the tournament – despite being written off in nearly all quarters.

Much criticised coach Raymond Domenech has recently tested a more attacking 4-3-3 formation, which will make them substantially easier on the eye. Although this new strategy only helped the team to a 2-1 victory over Costa Rica in a recent international friendly, that was mostly thanks to an incredible display from opposition goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Ribery and Manchester United full back Patrice Evra combined excellently down the left, while Yoann Gourcuff and Sidney Govou also excelled.

There are still over 2000 World Cup tickets left for France’s Group A games, and there is still time to get to South Africa for the holiday of a lifetime.

Uruguay v France tickets are on sale from £93
France v Mexico tickets are on sale from £90
France v South Africa tickets are on sale from £118

Despite potentially dangerous opposition in Diego Forlan’s Uruguay, recent England opponents Mexico and host nation South Africa, one would expect France to progress to the second round as winners of Group A. They will have extra incentive to do so, for the first knockout stage will most probably be tough for second place qualifiers: Group A runner-up v Group B winners would almost certainly mean facing Argentina in the second round. While that would be a hugely difficult task for either team, it has all the makings of a potential classic. Tickets are available from £140.

Group A winners v Group B runner-up would see France most likely face one of South Korea, Nigeria and Greece, who would be far more agreeable opponents from a French perspective.

From there, anything can happen. There is excellent value to be found in buying France tickets at this summer’s World Cup, and after appearances in two of the last three World Cup Finals, who would bet against the French to triumph again?

Original article published on Tixdaq.com

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World Cup winner Laurent Blanc will quit as Bordeaux coach and replace Raymond Domenech as manager of France after this summer’s World Cup.
The 44-year-old former Manchester United defender guided Bordeaux to the 2009 League and Cup Double but his side ended this season without a trophy.
The French federation is expected to officially confirm Blanc as Domenech’s successor on Thursday.
Blanc was part of the France team that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
Bordeaux said in a statement: “Girondins Bordeaux have been informed by Laurent Blanc that he wanted to answer favourably to the French federation (FFF)’s solicitation to become the France coach.

Blanc proved he was able to be in charge at club level. But coaching a national team is a different job.
Raymond Domenech
“Girondins Bordeaux expect to hear from the FFF on the question of the compensation linked to the release of their coach.”
Blanc had a successful career as a centre-back at Barcelona, Marseille and Inter Milan.
But, after success as a manager with Bordeaux in 2009, his side finished sixth in the league this season and were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by fellow French side Lyon.
Domenech has long bore the brunt of fans’ frustrations following a disappointing Euro 2008 campaign where France picked up only one point and finished bottom of their group.
But the Frenchman said he had not been told whether he would be replaced by Blanc after the World Cup in South Africa.
“I’m not the one who decides on this,” said Domenech.
“Blanc proved he was able to be in charge at club level. But coaching a national team is a different job.
“He will have to be ready immediately because the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign starts in September.” (BBC Sport)

Now either this is ridiculously bad timing or a touch of genius on behalf of the FFF. Raymond Domenech is not universally liked in France, in fact you could say is universally disliked, but to line up a replacement for the French national coach just a few weeks before the World Cup starts is bizarre to the say the least.

There is no doubting Laurent Blanc has been a great success at Bordeaux and that he is more than able to take over from the current coach its just odd to appoint someone to take a job at such inopportune time. Imagine if you will that you work for a leading company and then days before a big event/meeting you publicly hand his job to someone else in a months time. This could either have the impact of making the current boss very angry and therefore perhaps effect his running of the company or perhaps it helps motivate that boss to try even harder to make that big event/meeting even more of a success. Which will be France’s fate?

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France have never before made it to the finals of the FIFA World Cup on four successive occasions, but they have now, by qualifying for South Africa 2010.

Thinking back to the unstoppable French side of the 1990’s, it seems odd that bookmakers, experts, and perhaps fans alike are already writing the former World Champions off, but, as far as the team are concerned, the pressure will be off come the summer. Indeed the years of Zinedine Zidane, Laurent Blanc, Fabien Barthez, and Christophe Dugarry are behind them, but France’s new rejuvenated squad of youngsters have impressed in qualifying, despite having to play a playoff decider against the Republic of Ireland – a game that was blighted by a discrepancy concerning Theirry Henry’s winning goal; the Irish were certain he handled the ball, and video replays seemed to back this up. However, it is the French that will travel to South Africa.

The aforementioned Henry is arguably the team’s greatest threat, but Jeremy Toulalan, Real Madrid’s Lassana Diarra, and the strong and consistent midfield duo of Yoann Gourcuff and Franck Ribery will be called upon to put in big performances against some of the world’s best teams. Up front, it’s the firepower of Chelsea’s Nicholas Anelka, alongside ex Manchester United target Karim Benzema that are likely to pose problems to the opposition. The group stage draw could have been kinder to France, as they’ll face Uruguay, the hosts South Africa, and the ever dangerous Mexico, who have proved they can beat anybody on their day, and are likely to be even more problematic in the heat of Africa.

There is sure to be plenty of betting going on during this year’s World Cup so if you want to see the odds and stats of your favourite team then visit Gamebookers new World Cup site.

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Arsenal’s Samir Nasri, Manchester City’s Patrick Vieira and Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema have been left out of France’s 30-man World Cup squad.
Ex-skipper Vieira was not included by coach Raymond Domenech’s initial squad for the finals in South Africa.
Arsenal’s in-form midfielder Nasri and Benzema, who cost Real £35m last summer, were also absent in a squad that features five uncapped players.
Barcelona’s Thierry Henry and Arsenal’s William Gallas were included.
The under-fire Domenech had promised to name his final 23-man list – even though Fifa’s deadline is not until 1 June – but changed his mind at the last minute.
He admitted he was hopeful the 33-year-old Vieira, who has 107 caps and was a member of the sides that won the 1998 World Cup in 1998 and Euro 2000, would convince him worthy of a place.
“We have been following Pat for a while, hoping he could make it to the World Cup,” Domenech said. “It’s a difficult moment. We tried, he did too. It’s tough but there comes a time when you need to make a decision”.
A prominent member of the France side for a decade, Vieira last played for his country in June 2009.
His absence means that for the first time since winning the World Cup on home soil, France will play a major tournament without any player from the team that stunned Brazil 3-0 in the 1998 final at the Stade de France.
“It was a challenge for me but I will not be able to play one last major tournament for France,” Vieira told Canal Plus television. “He (Domenech) made a choice on sporting grounds, I accept that.”
Henry, now the France captain, was in the 1998 squad but did not play in the final.
He has appeared mostly as a substitute for Barcelona this season, but remains a key figure for France and it was his infamous handball that ensured their qualification at the expense of the Republic of Ireland.

Defender Gallas was included in the provisional squad for the finals, where the 2006 runners-up will meet hosts South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay in the group stages, despite suffering from a calf injury.
His Arsenal team-mates Gael Clichy, Abou Diaby and Bacary Sagna were also included, while Manchester United’s Patrice Evra and Chelsea pair Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka also made the initial list.
Domenech had reassuring words for Benzema, who has endured a frustrating first year at the Bernabeu.
“Karim has talent and he will come back,” Domenech said. “He’s had a difficult season with Real and we needed players who were fresh and hungry.”
Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse, who has scored 29 goals for Greek champions Panathinaikos, received his first call-up since being cut from the squad prior to the 2008 European Championship.
Among the surprises on the list were Stade Rennes’ teenage midfielder Yann M’Vila, Olympique Marseille’s winger Mathieu Valbuena and Bordeaux centre-back Marc Planus.

France squad:
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda(Olympique Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux), Mickael Landreau (Lille)
Defenders: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), William Gallas (Arsenal), Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Rod Fanni (Stade Rennes), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla), Adil Rami (Lille), Marc Planus (Girondins Bordeaux), Gael Clichy(Arsenal), Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon)
Midfielders: Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Alou Diarra(Girondins Bordeaux), Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Yoann Gourcuff (Girondins Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Yann M’Vila (Stade Rennes)
Forwards: Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos), Hatem Ben Arfa (Olympique Marseille), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille), Jimmy Briand (Stade Rennes) (BBC Sport)

So there you have it, more than a few surprises. Raymond Domenech is a much hated figure both in his native France and beyond and his decision to leave out Samir Nasri and Karim Benzema is a contentious one to say the least.

Arsenal unsurpsingly have four players in the 30 man provisional squad but for Nasri to miss out is something of a shock, not least because faltering Abou Diaby was named. Many are expecting the French to mess up in South Africa, after all they were hardly convincing in qualifying and arguably shouldn’t even be there after THAT handball.

However it would be dangerous to rule them out as potential winners and they do have a very easy group so who knows.

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It will come as scant consolation to Ireland, their backroom staff, their players and their massive support (which probably now includes the whole known world outside the borders of France), that maybe this latest travesty could be the death knell to all those who believe that ‘honest’ mistakes are part and parcel of the game. If ever there was a defining moment in the game of football then perhaps it is now.

The way Thierry Henry was allowed to pull off a full on Basketball move to keep the ball in play in order to assist the all to crucial winning goal in last night’s World Cup Play-Off just beggars belief. The Barcelona man has come out and admitted to his wrongdoing but then followed up this confession by stating “I will be honest it was a handball but I’m not the referee.” which only tells part of the story and helpfully is designed to allay all blame from his experienced shoulders on to the officials who appeared to be the only people in the entire stadium to not spot the fairly clear cut offence.

Some will tell you that to bring in the addition of a televised adjudication of some sort will ruin the game and could well slow the game down but I will guarantee that the large portion of those in that particular myopic group will have changed their tune. For it would have taken a fourth official, and what the hell else does he have to do for 90 minutes, to look at the monitor which is helpfully placed aside him, and just communicate with the referee, which he already does do on most cases, via the earpiece and headphones that they already don. On this particular occasion it would have taken the official less time to make his decision than it did the French players to ‘pretend’ to celebrate wildly whilst all the while knowing all to well that they had just cheated the Irish out of a place in the World Cup Finals, a place that they deserved so much more than the Raymond Domenech’s stuttering side who had bungled their original qualification attempt whilst Giovanni Trapattoni had faultleslly guided his side unbeaten through their arguably more difficult campaign.

Perhaps the level of officiating has worsened or perhaps they are under more scrutiny than at any other time in the game’s history but it does appear that contentions decisions are being made on such a regular basis that it would be foolish to continue with the present course any longer. FIFA and UEFA are often cited as organizations that fail to act swiftly, indeed if they act at all, but even they must be questioning the wisdom of not moving forwards with progress and preventing such acts of devastating levels.

We are constantly told about the need for their to be a spirit of fair play in the game but how about installing a system, a simple one, that makes the game itself fair. A system that takes the heat off the man in the middle and adds another dimension to the game, a dimension of ultimate fairness and equality.