Published on ShanghaiDaily.com (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2008/200810/20081016/article_376997.htm
French fury after anthem booed
Created: 2008-10-16
THE French prime minister said yesterday that a friendly match between Tunisia and France should have been stopped after some fans jeered the French national anthem before the game.
Prime Minister Francois Fillon said he was disappointed that the French Football Federation didn't halt Tuesday's match at Stade de France and said those who whistle at national anthems like "La Marseillaise" must be barred from seeing the match.
"It's insulting for France, for the players on the French team," Fillon said. "Matches should be stopped whenever national anthems, whichever ones they are, get whistled at.
"It's a lack of consideration and respect for an entire nation."
France President Nicolas Sarkozy called a meeting with France's sports minister and FFF head Jean-Pierre Escalettes after the "scandalous incidents" at the stadium.
Many Tunisia fans displayed their national flag, chanted "Tunisia, Tunisia," and booed when French players' names were read out before the match.
"It's not easy playing at home and getting jeered." France captain Thierry Henry said.
Escalettes said the players were furious, having already been jeered by French fans in a match against Serbia at Stade de France last month and in previous friendlies.
"We've had enough, it's intolerable," Escalettes said at a FFF meeting yesterday. "If football leads to such behavior it is not fulfilling its role, which is to unite people."
France defender Gael Clichy, who made his second international appearance against Tunisia, felt he was playing an away match.
"I've never experienced this," Clichy said. "It's a bit weird because we're supposed to be playing at home."
However, France winger Hatem Ben Arfa, who is of Tunisian descent, refused to condemn the Tunisia fans, even though some of the most hostile jeers were aimed at him.
"I'm not really angry with them," Ben Arfa said. "It's a bit of a shame but it's not a major problem. They need to exist, you have to understand them."
France, a former colonial ruler of Tunisia, has many residents of North African descent. Tunisia fans appeared to largely outnumber French fans at the stadium north of Paris. France went on to win the match 3-1.
FFF vice president Noel Le Graet said that "bringing men together is always stronger than the whistles," and that it would have been a mistake to suspend the match.
On the pitch, two goals by Thierry Henry helped France see of Tunisia 3-1.
Tunisia forward Issam Jemaa twisted his way past defender Jean-Alain Boumsong to put the visitors ahead but France levelled 10 minutes later with a superb goal from Henry.
Henry, wearing the captain's armband in the absence of the injured Patrick Vieira, was on target again three minutes into the second half, tapping home from close range for his 48th goal in 107 internationals.
Fellow striker Karim Benzema wrapped up the victory in the 58th minute after a fine work by fullback Rod Fanni, who celebrated his first cap with a stylish performance.
Meanwhile, Raymond Domenech was retained as France coach yesterday at least until qualifying ends for the World Cup.
Domenech's future had been in doubt with only one win in three qualifiers for the 2010 tournament following France's group-stage exit at the European Championship in June.
Escalettes said FFF wants Domenech "to continue until 2010 under the terms of his contract" and "that he is implicated in this mission until the World Cup in South Africa."
Prime Minister Francois Fillon said he was disappointed that the French Football Federation didn't halt Tuesday's match at Stade de France and said those who whistle at national anthems like "La Marseillaise" must be barred from seeing the match.
"It's insulting for France, for the players on the French team," Fillon said. "Matches should be stopped whenever national anthems, whichever ones they are, get whistled at.
"It's a lack of consideration and respect for an entire nation."
France President Nicolas Sarkozy called a meeting with France's sports minister and FFF head Jean-Pierre Escalettes after the "scandalous incidents" at the stadium.
Many Tunisia fans displayed their national flag, chanted "Tunisia, Tunisia," and booed when French players' names were read out before the match.
"It's not easy playing at home and getting jeered." France captain Thierry Henry said.
Escalettes said the players were furious, having already been jeered by French fans in a match against Serbia at Stade de France last month and in previous friendlies.
"We've had enough, it's intolerable," Escalettes said at a FFF meeting yesterday. "If football leads to such behavior it is not fulfilling its role, which is to unite people."
France defender Gael Clichy, who made his second international appearance against Tunisia, felt he was playing an away match.
"I've never experienced this," Clichy said. "It's a bit weird because we're supposed to be playing at home."
However, France winger Hatem Ben Arfa, who is of Tunisian descent, refused to condemn the Tunisia fans, even though some of the most hostile jeers were aimed at him.
"I'm not really angry with them," Ben Arfa said. "It's a bit of a shame but it's not a major problem. They need to exist, you have to understand them."
France, a former colonial ruler of Tunisia, has many residents of North African descent. Tunisia fans appeared to largely outnumber French fans at the stadium north of Paris. France went on to win the match 3-1.
FFF vice president Noel Le Graet said that "bringing men together is always stronger than the whistles," and that it would have been a mistake to suspend the match.
On the pitch, two goals by Thierry Henry helped France see of Tunisia 3-1.
Tunisia forward Issam Jemaa twisted his way past defender Jean-Alain Boumsong to put the visitors ahead but France levelled 10 minutes later with a superb goal from Henry.
Henry, wearing the captain's armband in the absence of the injured Patrick Vieira, was on target again three minutes into the second half, tapping home from close range for his 48th goal in 107 internationals.
Fellow striker Karim Benzema wrapped up the victory in the 58th minute after a fine work by fullback Rod Fanni, who celebrated his first cap with a stylish performance.
Meanwhile, Raymond Domenech was retained as France coach yesterday at least until qualifying ends for the World Cup.
Domenech's future had been in doubt with only one win in three qualifiers for the 2010 tournament following France's group-stage exit at the European Championship in June.
Escalettes said FFF wants Domenech "to continue until 2010 under the terms of his contract" and "that he is implicated in this mission until the World Cup in South Africa."
Agencies
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