French FA president plays down Nasri incident
Reuters - Tuesday 12 June 2012, 10:17
French federation president Noel
Le Graet on Tuesday played down an incident involving midfielder
Samir Nasri after France drew 1-1 with England in their Euro
2012 Group D opening game.
Nasri put a finger to his mouth and muttered "shut up" while
looking towards the benches and the press stands in Donetsk
after cancelling out Joleon Lescott's opener.
"Let's be clear. We need to judge him on sporting grounds,"
Le Graet told French radio RTL on Tuesday.
"He was named man of the match by UEFA. He scored a goal
and, often, players react after scoring a goal.
"Maybe he had a bad article in his mind. He is a winner.
There was this gesture but it's nothing serious."
Nasri had been criticised by French media for his recent
lack of impact on games when playing for Les Bleus.
After the match he muttered to the press: "That was at you".
While not serious, the incident brought back memories from
the 2010 World Cup, when France players went on strike in
support of Nicolas Anelka, who had been kicked out of the squad
for insulting then coach Raymond Domenech.
France coach Laurent Blanc did not dwell on the matter on
Monday. "That's between him and his detractors, nobody else,"
said Blanc.