Official 2010 World Cup ET Headquarters

Quote from IV_Trader:

and how about this "France" team ?
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Yeah, it is sad to see egos get involved int the game to such extent.
I would have fired Domenech long time ago myself...

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World Cup 2010: France boycott training over Anelka row

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.
Nicolas Anelka and Raymond Domenech
Domenech (right) chose Anelka to start France's first two games

"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."

Read the France squad's statement on their decision to boycott training

But Domenech insisted the incident could have been dealt with without such damaging repercussions, had a leak to the media not escalated the problem.

"People cannot imagine the pressure," said Domenech, who took France to the final of the last World Cup in 2006.

"We are in a dressing room, the coach says something to a player who is already under pressure, he can react angrily, and with strong words.

"He did not react in the most suitable fashion. But it was just a guy sitting in his corner and muttering - that would not have mattered had it stayed there.

"What was important was that it made the front page of a newspaper, and that exposes the internal life of the squad."

He continued: "I sorted out the problem internally, and as far as I was concerned it was done and dusted.

"[But] the decision to exclude him was the right one. I am sorry for the children for whom the French team represents something. Anelka does not have the right to say such things."

Anelka's Chelsea team-mate John Terry, who is playing for England in South Africa, said he disagreed with the decision of the French Football Federation to send the former Arsenal and Real Madrid player home.

"As a person, you won't find a better man in football," he said.

"He's someone who's very quiet, obviously he's been in the game a long time, and he knows his football. If Nico had something to say to me, I'd stand up and listen.

"It's obviously the wrong decision. He's a great player as well."

Domenech has now led France for a record number of matches but his six-year stint as coach has been consistently controversial and he will be replaced by Bordeaux boss Laurent Blanc once their World Cup is over.

That will happen on Tuesday, unless they convincingly beat hosts South Africa in their final Group A encounter, and Uruguay and Mexico do not draw the other match.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8750302.stm
 
Quote from Optionpro007:

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FT

ESPN

Italy

New Zealand

1 - 1

Incredible. Go Kiwis!!! :)
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Typical Italy…The got to second round with three draws in 1982 and then won it all by beating the four best team ever (Brazil)
 
Quote from Optionpro007:

Finally some whipping...:D
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Enjoy watching the North Koreans in what is likely their last minutes alive. 7-0, this is worse than what we did to that coastal town on our way to save the Marines at the Chosin resevoir.

:cool:
 
Quote from increasenow:

anyone agree that there will be a massive GBP/USD tank when England does not make it to the next 'knock out' round?
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Why USD? trade it against argentinian Peso directly since they are almost qualified...:p
 
Spain should have won 100-0

I am not sure what to expect. With the way they are playing I can't see them beating Brazil.

Kudos Portugal, great game.

Will be watching France @1000 and Argentina @ 1430 tomorrow..
 
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