04/23/24
November 18, 2002
Like Shaq, Anelka is a punk, too.: Anelka has decided not to honor a last-minute request to play for France. Unlike Shaq, Anelka may be punished by FIFA for not playing for his country. The punishment? A one-game ban, according to FIFA rules. Or, if the French Football Federation (FFF) get their way, a two-game ban. The funny thing is Anelka plays in England for Manchester City, so it's really up to the English FA. Welcome to the world of international soccer.
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 04:01 PM - 6 comments
I agree with Anelka...he is a good player and deserved to be in the French National team for the 02 World Cup...now Santini calls him up after some other loser gets injured?! Screw that...
posted by StarFucker at 07:58 AM on November 19, 2002
I think Anelka needs to suck it up if he ever wants to play for France. As good as Henry and the rest of the others are, they know they can't win games alone. Anelka, in this case, seems to have completely forgotten that. He's been trying to get in, and now he's given the chance, he decides to cry about not being called earlier? (This is also the same guy who complained on his website that his club wouldn't release him to play a charity match for an informal France team just weeks ago.) Petulance, petulance, petulance. I can see why Houllier decided not to sign him on at Liverpool. Long-term, this guy is a liability.
posted by worldcup2002 at 10:41 AM on November 19, 2002
Oh, wait a minute, looks like Anelka may be off the hook.
But Manchester City has cited a FIFA rule that the federation must give both the player and the club 15 days' notice. The French only contacted Anelka six days before the game. According to Article 38, Section Two of FIFA's rule book, a national association wishing to summon one of its players who is playing abroad "must notify him in writing at least 15 days before the date of the match. The player's club should also be informed in writing at the same time."
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:35 AM on November 19, 2002
Anelka has to be the sulkiest player in football, which is probably the biggest reason he is so low down the pecking order. It will end in tears at Man City too, mark my words.
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:00 PM on November 19, 2002
Fine fine...you guys keep him off your fantasy team...
posted by StarFucker at 04:13 PM on November 19, 2002
Anelka is nuts. Unlike Shaq, he wants to play for his country. He just doesn't feel that a last-minute call-up shows enough respect for his (substantial)abilities. Yeah, this is a great way earn your manager's respect and move ahead of players like David Trezeguet, Thierry Henry, Sylvain Wiltord and Djibril Cissé.