Anelka loses case over World Cup insult
Reuters - Friday 01 July 2011, 15:21
PARIS - Former France striker Nicolas
Anelka has lost his case for damages over offensive remarks
attributed to him during the 2010 World Cup which led to his
banishment from the tournament.
French newspaper L'Equipe published the phrase it said was
uttered by the Chelsea player to coach Raymond Domenech at
half-time of the defeat by Mexico. France went on strike after
Anelka had been sent home and the side crashed out in the group
stage.
A tribunal prosecutor said on Friday that although there was
a debate about the exact remarks, their offensive nature was not
contested.
Anelka had demanded 150,000 euros in damages,
saying that what was said in a dressing room was confidential.
L'Equipe said it had several sources for the story and
pointed out that no one had quibbled when a documentary filmed
the dressing room during France's triumphant 1998 World Cup
campaign.