Playmaker Yoann Gourcuff, whose differences with elder players on the French team were among the most-publicized conflicts within the troubled French camp atthe 2010 World Cup, has moved from Bordeaux to Lyon in a $28 million deal. If the 24-year-old Gourcuff passes a medical, he will be the second major French signing for Lyon, which […]
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Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
French coach Blanc criticizes form of player suspensions
New French national team coach Laurent Blanc criticized the different sanctions that were imposed on five players in the aftermath of the Bleus’ mutiny atthe World Cup. “Only when people bring me evidence that those five players played a much more important role than the others, will I understand why different sanctions were imposed,”Blanc said. […]
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Anelka: 'I'm dying from laughter'
[FRANCE]French star Nicolas Anelka’s international career is effectively over following the 18-game ban he was handed by the French soccer federation (FFF) forhis tirade at Coach Raymond Domenech during halftime of the France-Mexico game at the World Cup. Three other players, PatriceEvra, Franck Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan, were handed shorter suspensions for their role in […]
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It's official … Spain's La Liga is the best
Opta Sports and the Professional Football Players’ Observatory, a pair of soccer research groups, released a report Monday that ranked players and clubs in Europe’s five major leagues. Spanish teams, notably Real Madrid and Barcelona, were first in four key categories: shots on goal, assists and key passes, dribbles and fouls received and passing. La […]
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Five French players face questioning
The French soccer federation (FFF) called five players to give statements Tuesday as it investigates the national team’s meltdown at the 2010 World Cup. Patrice Evra, Nicolas Anelka, Eric Abidal, Franck Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan were called in to the disciplinary hearing. All were involved in incidents during the World Cup, where France failed to […]
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Thierry Henry: 'MLS fans are amazing'
[INTERVIEW] Thierry Henry played his first MLS home game for the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday and assisted on the gamewinner in a 1-0victory over Toronto. Afterward, France’s all-time leading scorer talked about: his progress toward full fitness, MLS fans, Landon Donovan, a promising young teammate, andwhether he watched Les Bleus’ first game since […]
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What the mutineers did and didn't do …
[FRANCE] All 23 members of France’s 2010 World Cup team have been suspended for France’s friendly against Norway on Wednesday, but five could face furtherdisciplinary measures. Nicolas Anelka, whose insults directed at Coach Raymond Domenech triggered the series of eventsthat led to the team boycott of practice in South Africa, Patrice Evra, Franck Ribery, Eric […]
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Bocanegra needed at St. Etienne, Davies not ready
[AMERICANS ABROAD] Following his return this winter to Sochaux after being seriously injured in a car crash that took the life of another passenger, Charles Davies set as his goal to return to Ligue 1 action in the spring and make the U.S. World Cup team. “It’s going to be complicated to count on him,” […]
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Bleuets are European champions
[FRANCE] A month after the embarrassing performance of its national team in South Africa, France celebrated a European championship on Friday night. It won the Under-19 European Championship in dramatic fashion with a 2-1 win over Spain before a packed house in Caen. UEFA President Michel Platiniwas on hand at the stade Michel-d’Ornano for the […]
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Don't bury Bleus just yet
[PORTRAITS] A month after its embarrassing exit from the World Cup, France is on the verge of winning in international trophy. Its U-19s have advanced toFriday’s final of the European Championship in their category against Spain with an exciting team led by Gael Kakuta and Antoine Griezmann, two players who abandoned French soccer at young […]