Sepp Blatter warns Nicolas Sarkozy not to interfere in soccer‎

FIFA President Sepp Blatter warned the French government on Tuesday not to interfere in the affairs of its soccer association or the sport's governing body could suspend France's football federation.

Blatter's threat came a day after French Football Federation (FFF) president Jean-Pierre Escalettes resigned in the wake of France's World Cup fiasco.

French Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot had said last week Escalettes's resignation was "unavoidable".

"In France they have made an 'affaire d'Etat' with football, but football remains in the hands of the federation," Blatter told reporters on Tuesday.

"French football can rely on FIFA in case of political interference even if it is at presidential level, it is a clear message.

"We will help the national association and if cannot be solved by consultation then the only thing we have is to suspend the federation."


France's group stage exit, marred by the players' decision to boycott a training session in support of expelled striker Nicolas Anelka, has sparked soul-searching and high-level meetings in the country.

Such was the national angst in France that President Nicolas Sarkozy urged a soccer shakeup and met former team captain Thierry Henry.

The debate will continue with the news on Tuesday that both coach Raymond Domenech and Escalettes would be heard by a parliamentary commission of the National Assembly on Wednesday.

The players' boycott came after Anelka was kicked out of the squad by the FFF for insulting Domenech at halftime of a 2-0 defeat by Mexico.

France ended bottom of Group A with a draw and two defeats. Domenech will be replaced by Laurent Blanc.


(source: Reuters Africa)

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Police protection for France!

The plane chartered by the French Federation landed at Le Bourget business airport, 20 km north of Paris, after a 15-hour flight from South Africa.
A smattering of supporters were kept at a distance and dozens of photographers, cameramen and journalists were penned behind a wire fence.

Some of the players went straight into two coaches with darkened windows which left the airport through a back entrance.
Witnesses said the Lyon players and Franck Ribery flew out on in two private planes without going through the terminal.
Team captain Thierry Henry is expected later at the Elysee Palace for a meeting with President Nicolas Sarkozy, a government spokesman said.
Les Bleus' World Cup campaign, marred by infighting and the boycott of a training session, ended on Tuesday with a 2-1 defeat by hosts South Africa that left them bottom of Group A without a win.
Their failure has turned into an affair of state.
On Wednesday, Sarkozy called for a wholesale review of French soccer after chairing a government meeting, and on Thursday Sports minister Roselyne said "the resignation of French Federation chairman, Jean-Pierre Escalettes was unavoidable".

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Sarkozy steps in to end the farce of French failure!

Thierry Henry will meet French president Nicolas Sarkozy today to discuss the country's failure in the World Cup after it emerged that the striker had called the leader during the tournament.

France's campaign, marred by infighting, the boycott of a training session and the sending home of striker Nicolas Anelka for insulting coach Raymond Domenech, ended on Tuesday with a 2-1 defeat by hosts South Africa that left them bottom of Group A without a win. "Thierry Henry called the president from South Africa and told him he wanted to see him as soon as possible after his return to France," government spokesman Luc Chatel said yesterday.

Sarkozy held a summit yesterday with the prime minister, François Fillon, sports minister Roselyne Bachelot and junior sports minister Rama Yade to discuss the country's dire performance.

The Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra, who lost his captain's armband and his place in the starting line-up for leading the players' rebellion, yesterday said that the squad should say sorry to the people of France.

"It's time for us to apologise," he said. "I promise to tell the truth about every minute of what I went through. French people need to know the truth because the France team belongs to them and nobody else. We lost our chance to qualify long ago. It has been difficult within the squad."

Florent Malouda said he feared the French players may always have to live with the shame of their chaotic campaign. "We are not proud of what we have done. I do not know what we will have to do to earn forgiveness."

Malouda indicated there were divisions in the group. "Given what happened before the match, it would have been a miracle if we had won," he said. "We did not have the right attitude to get beyond the group stage. I'd like to apologise on behalf of all the players. We'll be discussing things among ourselves. There's a lot of tension in the squad, which is not ideal when preparing for an important game."

Sports minister Bachelot said: "Those responsible for this disaster must accept the consequences, first the players, then the team management and after them the football federation."

French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes will also host a meeting next month to investigate the campaign. He said: "Everyone will go before the federal council, the president, the players, the coach, the medical staff, to see who is responsible. There will probably be sanctions but I can't pre-empt what the council will decide. What upsets me the most is the drama of last weekend. For me 50 years of values crumbled."

Fifa said yesterday that no decision had been taken to act against coach Domenech for refusing to shake hands with South Africa's Carlos Alberto Parreira after the loss on Tuesday. Domenech appeared to breach Fifa guidelines on fair play when he snubbed his counterpart.

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Anelka adverts dumped by French fast food chain!!

French bank Credit Agricole SA suspended one of their television advertisements featuring top French players after the national team boycotted a training session at the World Cup.

The move on Monday came after an international uproar over the team’s refusal to practice a day earlier, after striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home for insulting the French coach, the company said.

The fastfood chain Quick also said it is canceling an advertising campaign with Anelka because of the player’s poor image.

Quick said it cancelled a TV ad featuring Anelka and removed him from all advertising in the chain’s French restaurants. Posters featuring the Chelsea striker holding up a burger as if it were a trophy will remain on Paris streets until Wednesday because there’s no way to pull them down faster.


Valerie Raynal, head of communication for Quick France, said the decision was taken because Anelka’s presence “could be badly perceived by our customers.”

Among other sponsors, Adidas said it was “appalled and saddened” but said it would retain its sponsorship planned to expire this year.

“Adidas will continue to activate the French part of its international campaign until the end of the team’s presence in the competition. This part involves Yoann Gourcuff, the brand’s French ambassador,” the statement from Adidas France said.

Playmaker Gourcuff was left on the bench for last Thursday’s Group A match where Mexico beat France 0-2.

US group Nike, which will succeed Adidas as the team’s equipment supplier in 2011, was not immediately available for comment.

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French players apologise to the supporters after humiliating exit

If the minister for sport was looking for an admission of guilt and an apology as the first steps towards rebuilding the image and morale of French sport, she will have been pleased by the response of Les Bleus.
Florent Malouda was a fighter on the canvas trying to locate his gumshield through the fog of scrambled senses. His analogy, not mine. After France's last act ended in more humiliation, a man sent off and defeat, Malouda spoke candidly about the poorly judged training-ground strike and the aftermath.

Malouda said the address made by Roselyne Bachelot on the eve of this match left him emotionally floored. "I have never been a boxer but it was like you have been knocked out. Yeah, it was a complete disaster because we chose to express ourselves like this. We didn't know it would affect so many people. Honestly.
"There are no bad guys. I heard things like we were acting like gang leaders or something like that. Everybody, all the players, agreed to act like this and everybody said that we would take responsibility for what comes. We are really sorry for the French population, the French fans. That's now what we want to show, that's not what we want people to think about France."
Deposed captain Patrice Evra, who did not feature last night, spoke with obvious contrition. From his tone and the deep sadness in his eyes it was clear how much he felt he had let down France. As a gesture he said that the squad would not accept one centime in bonuses. It was also transparent that the relationship with coach Raymond Domenech is beyond healing.
"It's time to say sorry. I apologise to the fans. My coach stopped me saying sorry yesterday. I'll explain things in the week. The French people need to know truth and to know what happened. The team belongs to them. There's no reason why I wasn't on the pitch."
If Bachelot was heartened by the players' response she would have been less enamoured of Domenech, who refused three times to shake the hand of his South African counterpart, Carlos Parreira, after the match. Parreira couldn't recall what he'd done to offend. Apparently he claimed France did not deserve to be in South Africa because of the hand of Henry that ensured qualification. Domenech logged it in his peevish mind.
Parreira said: "As a matter of politeness I went to greet him because I know he will no longer be the French coach. But I don't understand what he said. He said I had offended the French team and for the life of me I don't know what I said. I have never insulted the French team. I asked one of the assistant coaches and he said that when Henry had handled the ball in their play-off game to get here I made a comment that France should not have been here. But that was a year ago so it is lamentable that this has happened."
Domenech needs little encouragement to take offence. Three times he refused to answer for his behaviour towards Parreira, an impoverished display that was met with derision in the French quarter. It is understood that the French federation have booked the players in economy for their immediate return to France. Malouda welcomed the news. Like the result it was considered appropriate discomfiture, the footballer’s equivalent of sackcloth and ashes.
“We have failed from the sport’s point of view and the extra-sports point of view, the image we’ve shown to the world. The way they see France right now is a disaster and we, as players, are responsible for that. We’re leaving the competition without winning a single game so we deserve our position right now.”

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France and South Africa out of World Cup. Today's defeat for France same as "Battle of Waterloo" in 1815!

On a day of World Cup drama, coach Raymond Domenech stripped Patrice Evra of the France captaincy and dropped him to the bench, while handing the armband to Alou Diarra instead.
Then Domenech, set to be replaced by Laurent Blanc, saw his side reduced to 10 men after 26 minutes of this Group A game when Yoann Gourcuff was sent off for a high elbow.
This sparked altercations on and off the pitch as players from both sides protested to the referee, while on the touchline Domenech and Carlos Alberto Parreira had their own tete-a-tete.
South Africa took advantage with Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela both finding the target. Although Florent Malouda stepped off the bench to pull a goal back, France are now heading home early.
Domenech then ended his troubled reign as France coach in controversial fashion by refusing to shake Parreira's hand at the final whistle.

The 58-year-old, who saw his side's catastrophic campaign end with a 2-1 defeat, refused to expand on why he had not accepted the traditional handshake from Parreira.
"I have no intention of replying to this question," he said.
"Is there another question?," he asked after the question was posed to him again by another journalist.
A third tried his luck: "Why are you refusing to answer this question?" to which Domenech responded: "Is there another question?
"If these are all the questions you are going to ask me, I am going to leave you, we are not from the same world."
However, Parreira, who guided Brazil to the 1994 title, did try to explain the snub.
"I believe it was because I had criticised his team after they qualified (when they controversially beat Ireland in the play-offs), but I really don't remember," he said. "This is what his assistants told me."
Uruguay defeated Mexico 1-0 in the other Group A clash, a result that means both teams qualify for the next round

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France 1 South Africa 2: match report

So France vacated the World Cup scene by bringing some joy to South Africa’s party by allowing the hosts to claim the victory they sought so dearly.
Not the distinction that Raymond Domenech and his players wanted to achieve this summer, but after a week of mayhem within the French camp, at least they made somebody happy.
Reduced to ten men following the first-half dismissal of Yoann Gourcuff, France were outplayed by the hosts, who claimed victory with first-half goals from Bongani Khumalo and Katiego Mphela.
Florent Malouda’s late goal was no consolation for France and the sour taste left by their World Cup participation was increased with Domenech refusing to shake the hand of South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira at the end of the game.
Go home France. Good riddance.
Despite their calamitous World Cup, the prospects of France caving in to the extent that South Africa could actually claim the emphatic victory they required to sneak into the knock-out stages appeared utterly remote

But French turmoil has reached unprecedented levels in recent days, so anything was possible.
Since the expulsion of Nicolas Anelka on Saturday for verbally abusing Domenech, the players have boycotted training, there has been talk of ‘traitors’ in the camp and French Sports minister Roselyne Bachelot declared Les Bleus could ‘no longer be heroes for our children.’
Damning stuff. Domenech, who accused his players of being ‘unspeakably stupid,’ made six changes from the starting line-up in the 2-0 defeat against Mexico. He could have made eleven.
South Africa, requiring a five-goal swing and a defeat for Mexico against Uruguay to have any hope of qualification, needed all the help they could get.
So the French discord played directly into their hands, even if the sleepy city of Bloemfontein could not muster a full house at the Free State Stadium for Bafana Bafana’s date with destiny.
Those who stayed away missed a display of passion and commitment from the hosts that the French could only dream of, however.
And when Khumalo put South Africa ahead on 20 minutes, belief begin to coarse through the veins of Parreira’s players.
Hugo Lloris, the highly-rated French goalkeeper, misjudged Siphiwe Tshabalala’s corner and Khumalo outjumped Abou Diaby to bundle the ball into the net with his shoulder.
If the French were in disarray, their world collapsed moments later when Yoann Gourcuff was sent off by Colombian referee Oscar Ruiz for elbowing Macbeth Sibaya.
The red card was greeted by Domenech placing his head in his hands, but South Africa now sensed an opportunity and they poured forward.
Mphela shot wide from 20 yards following a mazy run from the halfway line before the Mamelodi Sundowns forward doubled the hosts’ lead eight minutes before half-time.
Yet more poor French defending allowed Tsepo Masilela to cross to the far post, where Mphela stroked the ball into the empty net.
Mphela almost made it 3-0 on 43 minutes with a low strike from distance that was brilliantly saved by Lloris.
France had no answer. Thierry Henry replaced the ineffective Djibril Cisse, but South Africa continued to dominate, with Mphela striking the crossbar before having another long range effort saved.
The missed chances threatened to prove costly, especially with the margins so tight for the home team.
And the wind was taken out of South Africa’s sails on 70 minutes when Malouda scored for France after being teed up by Franck Ribery 12 yards out.
The goal killed South Africa’s dream, but for France, the nightmare will go on and on.

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France v South Africa: match preview

Group A
France v South Africa
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: Tues June 22, 3pm BST
Oh, the irony. France qualify for the World Cup at the expense of Ireland amid a cheating scandal and then suffer their own Roy Keane-style mutiny once in South Africa.
For Saipan, read Knysna and the Raymond Domenech-Nicolas Anelka bust-up that has seen the Chelsea forward sent home and resulted in his furious team-mates boycotting training on Sunday.
But with reports of rifts within the South Africa camp too, it is incredible that both nations can still sneak into the knock-out stages with a victory in Bloemfontein.
The likely outcome, however, is elimination for both. Losing the hosts will be a blow, but the French will not be missed.

Touchline duel
Carlos Alberto Parreira v Raymond Domenech
Having coached Brazil to the 1994 World Cup, Bafana Bafana coach Parreira will be adept at dealing with the strife that comes with national team management, but he has had his issues with senior players questioning team selection at this World Cup.
Parreira has not been publicly humiliated by his players in the manner of Domenech, however, and the France coach must be wishing the minutes away until he can board a flight to Paris and draw a line under the sorry saga of his six-year reign.
Talking tactics
Domenech might as well leave his players to wrestle control of the tactics board. His squad has lost all respect for the 58-year-old, so expect key men like Thierry Henry to be restored to the line-up by the unofficial players’ committee.
South Africa must win handsomely to retain any hope of qualification. They will go for broke, but they lack the quality to beat the French, split as they may be.
Key clash
Steven Pienaar v Patrice Evra
South Africa’s golden boy has yet to shine at the World Cup and he has borne the brunt of criticism from media and supporters alike.
But if Bafana Bafana are to have any hope of victory, the Everton midfielder must win his battle with France captain Evra.
Evra, despite the turmoil within the French camp, remains perhaps the world’s best left-back, but if his focus is elsewhere, Pienaar could take advantage.
What they are saying
Teko Modise: "We are not focusing on any individuals. We are concerned about ourselves and how we are going to beat France. We still have plenty of self belief and confidence that we can finish the group stage with a win."
French players’ statement: "We will do everything individually and also in a collective spirit to ensure that France regains its honour with a positive performance on Tuesday."
Teams (probable)
South Africa (4-4-1-1): Josephs; Gaxa, Khumalo, Mokoena, Masilela; Modise, Sibaya, Letsholonyane, Tshabalala; Pienaar; Mphela.
Substitutes: Walters (G), Ngcongca, Davids, Booth, Thwala, Parker, Nomvethe, Moriri, Sangwene, Khuboni.
France (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Sagna, Gallas, Abidal, Evra; Toulalan, Diaby; Ribery, Gourcuff, Malouda; Henry.
Substitutes: Mandanda (G), Carasso (G), Reveillere, Planus, Squillaci, Clichy, Govou, Diarra, Valbuena, Cisse, Gignac.
Referee: Oscar Ruiz (Colombia)
Previous meetings
Played 3; France 2, Draws 1, South Africa 0
1997 (Lens, friendly): France 2 South Africa 1
1998 (Marseille, WC): France 3 South Africa 0
2000 (Johannesburg, friendly): South Africa 0 France 0
Fact: This is France’s fourth game in the finals against African opposition. In the previous three they beat South Africa 3-0 in 1998, lost 1-0 to Senegal in 2002 but beat Togo 2-0 in 2006.
Prediction: France are in pieces and Bafana Bafana will want to leave a good impression. Has the making of a draw.

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Striker Nicolas Anelka has been dismissed from France's World Cup squad

"The decision (to remove Anelka) has just been taken," French football federation vice President Noel Le Graet told French radio station RTL.
According to L'Equipe newspaper, Anelka unleashed a scathing attack on Domenech after being criticised during the interval as France sank to a dismal 2-0 defeat in Polokwane on Thursday.

Anelka allegedly told Domenech to "go screw yourself, dirty son of a whore" in the dressing room at the Peter Mokaba Stadium after the coach criticised his first-half performance.
When Anelka took issue, Domenech threatened to substitute him, and the player unleashed his foul-mouthed tirade, reported L'Equipe.
Domenech's response was immediate. Anelka was replaced with Andre-Pierre Gignac for the second half.
"It's shocking, because if anyone has protected Anelka, it's Domenech," said Le Graet.
"Domenech has played Anelka throughout the past two years.
"There are of course divergences of opinion surrounding tactics and positioning, but it merits in any case friendlier conversations."
Further reports suggesting that a disciplinary hearing has been convened by France Football Federation officials on Saturday afternoon and that Anelka would be sent home from South Africa have proved to be well founded.
Mexico secured victory with two second-half goals, leaving France – winners in 1998 and beaten finalists four years ago – on the brink of elimination.
France require a convincing victory over South Africa next Tuesday to stand any chance of advancing to the second round.
However, this result would be rendered meaningless should Mexico and Uruguay draw in the other match – a result which would see both teams advance.
Anelka's outburst is the latest in a series of reported conflicts to come out of the France training camp during the World Cup and comes hot on the heels of captain Patrice Evra's admission that his side are a football force in decline.

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France 0 Mexico 2: match report

At least Raymond Domenech can console himself that it was, perhaps, written in the stars. France, the team many regard as the most fortunate and least deserving of all those with a place at the World Cup, now stand on the cusp of become its first high-profile casualty.
Impotent against Uruguay, France were wholly embarrassed by Mexico. Two games, no goals, one point. Regardless of how Domenech’s side fare against South Africa in their final group game, a draw between their two prior opponents in Rustenburg on Tuesday will condemn them to an early exit. Their manager’s reign looks set to close in the utmost ignominy.

For that, assuming France’s demise was not the work of cruel karma, Domenech has nobody to blame but himself. He certainly cannot blame the referee, the Saudi Khalil Al Ghamdi, who correctly ruled Javier Hernandez, soon to be of Manchester United, onside for Mexico’s opening goal, and correctly penalised Eric Abidal for tripping Pablo Barrera to earn Cuauhtemoc Blanco’s penalty.
He could, in truth, apportion some culpability to his players, who offered a display entirely disjointed in attack and disorganised in defence, but to his credit, he chose to avoid that unedifying spectacle. “I am not here to condemn anyone,” said Domenech. “It was a failure of the French team. We struggled, but I do not have an explanation for it.”
Plenty of others will offer to come to his aid on that particular subject. His critics will point to his side’s complete lack of cohesion, the absence of shape, their failure to carve an identity. They will point to the fact that this France team, drawn from some of the world’s grandest clubs, contrive to be so much less than the sum of their parts. And they will blame him for it all.
It is the manager’s fault that he has persisted with a central defensive pairing of William Gallas, visibly aged by his encounter with the industrious but limited Guillermo Franco, and Abidal. It is the manager’s fault that Jeremy Toulalan stands alone in a midfield devoid of all discipline. It is the manager’s fault that Franck Ribery, his nation’s best player, has been an observer, rather than a participant, for much of his 180 minutes in this tournament.
It is the manager’s fault that he could not imbue his team with spirit. Patrice Evra, the captain, may have cried at *Les Marseillaises* before the game, but it was he who allowed Barrera free passage before Abidal’s reckless lunge.
It is the manager’s fault that he left Thierry Henry, his country’s record goalscorer, on the bench throughout, despite trailing by two goals to Mexico and having a third substitution remaining.
And it is the manager’ fault that, as his opposite number, Javier Aguirre, scenting blood, threw on his two eventual goalscorers, Domenech leaned nonchalantly against his dug-out, seemingly frozen into inaction. Raging against the dying of the light is obviously not his style.
Aguirre’s Mexico could not have contrasted more sharply with such cowardly fatalism. Driven on by the sea of green in the stands of the Peter Mokaba Stadium, they seized the initiative from the off, clearly sensing France’s lack of gusto.
They produced a flurry of first half chances, Giovani Dos Santos firing against a post - albeit from an offside position - and Franco and Carlos Vela both firing into the Polokwane sky when well-placed.
France required 54 minutes to produce a meaningful shot on goal - Oscar Perez acrobatically denying Florent Malouda - but their threat was fleeting. Mexico’s menace possessed far more purpose.
It was Hernandez who provided the spark. The Chivas striker, who Sir Alex Ferguson has lavished £7 million on, had been on the field for less than 10 minutes when he latched on to Rafael Marquez’s through ball, timing his run perfectly, and rounded the stranded Lloris.
Hernandez’s grandfather, Tomas Balcazar, scored against France in the 1954 edition of the tournament, the striker admitted after the game. Perhaps it was fate after all.
From that point, the result was certainly inevitable. France did not rally, but simply sagged.
When Barrera, as bold and brash a winger as this tournament will see, skipped past Evra, the world’s best left-back offered no challenge, no chase. Abidal stretched out a leg, Barrera tumbled and Blanco, from the spot, sealed a precious victory.
France, perched on the edge of the abyss, find themselves in the hands of the gods, their fate dependent on others. Domenech and his team will not be foolish enough to expect a kindly judgment.

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France v Mexico: match preview

Group A

France v Mexico
Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane
Kick-off: Thurs June 17, 7.30pm BST
TV: BBC1 7pm, BBC1 HD 7pm

After being held by hosts South Africa and Uruguay respectively in their opening matches, Mexico and France must both look to record their first victories of the tournament in Polokwane if they are to seize an advantage in the race to reach the second round.

France coach Raymond Domenech may look to recall Florent Malouda, who has enjoyed a fine season at Chelsea, after dropping him for the opening game for insubordination.

That may mean moving Franck Ribery to a nominal wide right berth, though the Bayern Munich player enjoys license to roam.

Mexico, too, proffered a cautious start, and Javier Aguirre, the former Atletico Madrid manager, may look to include both Andres Guardado, his livewire winger, and Javier Hernandez, the striker who will join Manchester United after the tournament, leaving the former West Ham forward Guillermo Franco on the bench.


Key clash

Patrice Evra v Efrain Juarez: The Manchester United left-back is one of the few genuinely world-class performers the French possess, and he has grown in stature yet further after inheriting the captain’s armband from Thierry Henry when the Barcelona player was informed of his super-sub duties.

Evra, like Bacary Sagna, is employed to add an extra dimension to France’s attack, though he will have to be at his best to outwit the impressive Juarez, the 22-year-old seen as a likely candidate to be the next great Mexican export to Europe.

Tactical battle

France were easily stifled by Uruguay’s stout defensive display in their opening game and Aguirre will look to employ much the same approach: Gerardo Torrado will sit deep to deny Yoann Gourcuff space, while Juarez and Andres Guardado will be expected to track France’s overlapping full-backs.

France, as they did against the Uruguayans, will look to Franck Ribery to provide much of their attacking impetus.

Touchline duel

Raymond Domenech v Javier Aguirre: Two men whose reputations in their homelands could not contrast more sharply. Domenech, despite steering France to the final of this competition

in 2006, is seen as a buffoon, while Aguirre, who stepped into the breach following Sven-Goran Eriksson’s disastrous reign in Mexico, is viewed as a semi-deity for his achievements domestically and in Europe.

What they said

Abou Diaby: "Looking back at the Uruguay game, we had most of the possession, but we didn't manage to create many good chances, probably because there is something missing on the pitch."
Rafael Marquez: “We know the potential they have, the quality they have. They can change all of this. They have big players with great qualities. It's been a long time since they scored, but they have the ability to change this at any moment."

Teams

France (4-2-3-1): 1 Lloris; 2 Sagna, 5 Gallas, 3 Abidal, 13 Evra; 14 Toulalan, 19 Diaby; 7 Ribery, 8 Gourcuff, 15 Malouda; 21 Anelka
Substitutes: 16 Mandanda (G), 23 Carasso (G), 4 Reveillere, 6 Planus, 17 Squillaci, 22 Clichy, 10 Govou, 18 Diarra, 20 Valbuena, 9 Cisse, 11 Gignac, 12 Henry.
Mexico (4-3-3): 1 Perez; 5 Osorio, 2 Rodriguez, 4 Marquez, 3 Salcido, 16 Juarez, 6 Torrado, 18 Guardado; 11 Vela, 14 Hernandez, 17 Giovani
Substitutes: 13 Ochoa (G), 23 Michel (G), 12 Aguilar, 15 Moreno, 19 Magallon, 20 Torres, 7 Barrera, 8 Castro, 10 Blanco, 9 Franco, 21 Bautista, 22 Medina.
Referee: Khalil Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)

Previous meetings

Played 6: France 5, Draws 1, Mexico 0

1930: (Montevideo, WC): France 4 Mexico 1
1954: (Geneva, WC): France 3 Mexico 2
1966: (London, WC): France 1 Mexico 1
1996: (Paris, friendly): France 2 Mexico 0
2001: (Ulsan, Confederations Cup): France 4 Mexico 0
2006: (Paris, friendly): France 1 Mexico 0

Fact: Mexico are attempting to maintain their record of winning at least one game for the sixth successive World Cup finals appearance.

Predicition: France have to win but they are as poor a side that tried to defend the trophy in 2002. Another draw.

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France Vs Uruguay [ 0-0 ] Full Highlights

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Uruguay 0–0 France

France were held to a scoreless draw by Uruguay in a very watchable encounter in Cape Town, though les Bleus will perhaps feel that
three points were available for them to claim.

After a goalless first half, the second period only sparked into life for moments, before Nicolas Lodeiro of the South Americans was dismissed ten minutes from the hand, having been shown a second yellow card.

The early stages of the match offered little, though both sides were offered large areas of space to attack into.

France would be the first team to take advantage of the acres of grass offered for their benefit. Abou Diaby, in the starting XI in place of Florent Malouda, spun cleverly in midfield before feeding Franck Ribery down the left channel. The Bayern Munich man delivered wickedly low towards the near post, where Sidney Govou didn’t get enough on the ball to force it on target.

Les Bleus were bright in the early stages. Diaby slashed a shot from distance wide, while a header from William Gallas following a Yoann Gourcuff corner smacked Luis Suarez on the midriff, blocking what might have been a dangerous effort. Moments later, the Girondins de Bordeaux playmaker centered once more, but Nicolas Anelka couldn’t steer his header down.

On the quarter hour mark, Uruguay showed their teeth for the first time. Diego Forlan’s movement on the edge of the box took him away from Gallas, and cutting in from the left flank, the Atletico Madrid striker whipped a powerful right-footed drive at goal that Hugo Lloris did well to beat away.

This proved to be something of a flash from the South Americans as France were quickly back on the offensive. Set-piece specialist Gourcuff, from an outrageously tight angle, cracked a shot towards Fernando Muslera’s top corner, though the goalkeeper was sharply across to parry wide.

After this threatening moment, Raymond Domenech’s side would lose some of their initial momentum, though they would still look the likelier side going forward, yet without any meaningful penetration about their play. Anelka allowed good situations to be squandered by holding possession too long, while at the other end of the field Suarez were frequently caught needlessly offside, rendering the first half scoreless.
Both sides would create half chances in the stages immediately following the interval. Nacho Gonzalez shot wide for the Celeste before Anelka replied with a strike that was deflected wide. Forlan showed terrific control to pull down a long pass and unleash a shot at goal, though from a tight angle he could not threaten Lloris’ goal.

Les Bleus gradually started to impose themselves on the fixture, with Patrice Evra cutting an increasingly threatening figure down their left. One run carried him by several challenges only for Gourcuff’s shot to be blocked by Diego Godin.

Jeremy Toulalan is not known for his goal scoring abilities, yet the anchoring midfielder chanced his arm with the Jabulani from 40 yards. Though his skimming shot seemed to move dangerously, Muslera held well.

At no stage were France in total control, and an angled free kick from Forlan was well held by Lloris as the ball narrowly beat several heads clamoring to get a decisive touch.

This was a signal for Uruguay to get a handle on the game, which started to drift as the Celeste increasingly bossed the midfield. Indeed, the South Americans would have a golden chance to snatch the opening goal when a cross dropped invitingly to Forlan on the penalty spot, but the normally unerring striker snatched his shot wide.

By this stage of the game, Domenech had begun to shuffle his pack. Thierry Henry had replaced the ultimately ineffective Anelka, while the disappointing Gourcuff was withdrawn to make room for Florent Malouda, whose first meaningful contribution was to send a shot from distance a foot by the post.

With ten minutes remaining, Nicolas Lodeiro, who himself was only brought on from the bench, was shown a second yellow card for a late, high challenge on Bacary Sagna, handing the initiative to the Europeans.

Inevitably France pushed players forward, with Uruguay happy to sit back in numbers and cling on for a point. Henry, ironically, had a strong handball shot in the closing stages as he tried to scramble home, but the Celeste grimly hung on for a point.

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Photos: France team visit the Green Point Stadium in CapeTown

France national Football team players and staff visit the Green Point Stadium in CapeTown, South Africa on June 11, 2010.

France will play Uruguay in Capetown in its group A opener match on June 11, Mexico in Polokwane on June 17 and South Africa in Bloemfontein on June 22.

Here are the photos, enjoy!

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