Former France coach Raymond Domenech has broken his silence over Les Bleus‘ World Cup farce, branding the players “stupid brats” for going on strike at a training session – and making “a laughing stock” of their country.
Domenech’s bitter six-year tenure as France coach ended after last year’s tournament in South Africa.
He now says in an interview to be published on Wednesday in L’Express magazine that the players were to blame for ridiculing a once-proud national team that won the 1998 World Cup and European Championship in 2000 – and which Domenech took to the World Cup final in 2006.
“Looking back, I see them above all as a bunch of irresponsible, stupid brats.”
The squad shocked the nation and provoked the anger of politicians and fans by refusing to train after striker Nicolas Anelka had been sent home for insulting Domenech during half time of France’s second group game against Mexico.
Anelka was later suspended for 18 matches by the French football federation.
Former captain Patrice Evra (five games), Franck Ribery (three games) and Jeremy Toulalan (one game) were also banned for their part in the boycott.
