Nasri lashes out at media after defeat

France coach Laurent Blanc admits Samir Nasri and the press do not get along following his team’s exit from Euro 2012.

France''s Nasri passes by the coach Blanc as being substituted during the Group D Euro 2012 soccer match against Sweden in Kiev
French boss Laurent Blanc (R) admits Man City player was out of order following Spain game [Reuters]

The French team and controversy have had a close relationship over the last two major international tournaments. 

With no shortage of passion in the squad, rumours of a bust-up between the players following France’s group stage defeat to Sweden was followed up with more scandal in the quarter-finals. 

Once again Samir Nasri was at the center of it. 

France’s coach Laurent Blanc and the French Football Federation openly criticised the player on Sunday for the midfielder’s expletive-laced rant at a journalist following the team’s 2-0 defeat to Spain in the European Championship. 

Nasri was walking through the post-match interview area when the heated exchange took place after the journalist asked him for a reaction to Saturday’s defeat. Reports said that as the dispute escalated, Nasri challenged the journalist to take their argument further.

“It’s a lack of respect toward the journalist,” coach Laurent Blanc said on French football show Telefoot.

“I told (Nasri) what I thought of it and what I would have done in his place. It’s very unfortunate.”

French Football Federation President Noel Le Graet said Nasri had ‘fallen out of line’ again and described him as ‘hypersensitive’. He said the FFF will address the issue.

“He has a difficult way of behaving,” Le Graet said.

“We will discuss things and take a look at his problem.”

‘Sssshhhhhh!’

Nasri, who came on as a second-half substitute against Spain, had a tense relationship with French media throughout the tournament.

After scoring the equaliser in the 1-1 draw with England in their opening game, Nasri ran toward the touchline in celebration and shouted ‘Shut your mouth’ in French. He then brought his finger to his lips to tell a journalist to hush.

“There is a problem between Nasri and the press. That’s the truth”

French coach Laurent Blanc

“There is a problem between Nasri and the press. That’s the truth,” Blanc said.

“The comments are very violent and it’s been proven that they were said.”

At the 2010 World Cup, striker Nicolas Anelka received an 18-match ban after insulting coach Raymond Domenech in the dressing room.

Several players – including captain Patrice Evra – received shorter bans for their part in a training-ground strike in protest at Anelka being sent home.

While France never reached such lows at Euro 2012, several players – including Nasri, midfielder Alou Diarra and winger Hatem Ben Arfa – were involved in a heated dressing-room bust-up following the 2-0 defeat to Sweden in the final group game.

Blanc does not have an enviable role in building a French team that doesn’t combust at the first sign of trouble.  

Source: News Agencies