Anelka: I was planning to quit after World Cup
Reuters - Tuesday 30 November 2010, 14:59
PARIS - Nicolas Anelka, the man at the
centre of the France World Cup boycott, was planning to quit the
national team even before their troubled tournament in South
Africa in June, the Chelsea striker has revealed.
In an interview with French magazine Les Inrocks due to be
published on Wednesday, Anelka said that he had informed then
coach Raymond Domenech of his decision to end his international
career after the World Cup.
"The truth is that I told Domenech before the World Cup that
I'd quit the France team after the competition whatever was to
happen there," Anelka said.
Anelka, 31, was kicked out of the France team after a 2-0
defeat against Mexico for insulting Domenech at halftime.
The France players, in support of Anelka, then refused to
attend a training session and Les Bleus were eliminated in the
first round.
"I told him clearly (that I'd quit). They (the federation)
want to come out of this situation nicely, showing they have
re-established order," added Anelka, who was handed an 18-match
suspension by the French federation.
The June boycott caused a huge furore in France with
President Nicolas Sarkozy weighing in with criticism of the
team.