When Charles Dickens wrote his novel on England and France on the brink of revolution, little did he realize that those 2 countries would face not dissimilar fates in the footballing version, albeit on the world stage. Both teams have completely failed to make an impact in South Africa, with France even sitting on zero under the goals scored column. The similarities do not end there, with England, despite having been placed in a relatively easier group, cutting pathetic figures against USA and Algeria and France looking equally clueless against Uruguay and Mexico. Their execrable performances haven't gone down well with the respective domestic media either. Some tabloids in England have hinted at a rift between the overpaid players and Capello, while the French papers have even called for no reaction to the demoralizing defeat against a vastly superior Mexican side, claiming Les Bleus did not deserve the attention. But, even that was nothing compared to what transpired today.
Nicolas Anelka, the French striker who started in both games, was substituted at half-time against Mexico and was not at all happy, letting his feelings known to the perennially under-fire coach, Raymond Domenech. Since he used rather colorful language, the authorities demanded he make a full apology to the boss, which he firmly refused. Following this, he was asked to leave the squad and return home. The whole sordid episode was apparently leaked to the press, much to the fury of current captain, Patrice Evra, who wanted the matter to be resolved confidentially. Rumors have it that he confronted fitness coach Robert Duverne, who almost came to blows with Evra. Evra and Domenech then had a closed door meeting on the bus, after the team had come to the training ground this morning. Following this, the squad decided not to train in support of their banished teammate and against the measures which the federation took to expel Anelka. Disgusted at the squad's decision, the federation's managing director, Jean-Louis Valentin who was in South Africa, flew back to France and resigned. The entire sequence of events has left senior officials in the federation back in France completely stunned and lost for words.
Meanwhile, Capello's job could be on the line if England fail to qualify for last 16. That seems a strange price to pay, considering he led the team to a very convincing qualification for the finals. The players are looking increasingly sour and bereft of ideas, while the goalkeeping conundrum never seems to go away, hardly Capello's fault, if you ask me. But, England's players are one of the highest paid in the world and while the world may marvel at their league and individual talents, they always come up with some lame performances on the international stage. Not since Bobby Robson coached England to a last 4 showing in 1990 have they looked genuinely convincing. If Capello goes indeed, it will reflect very poorly on the English FA, since they renewed his contract only less than a month ago.
Only time will tell if there is more to come in these pungent soap operas.
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