Source: Telegraph
William Gallas: career flashpoints
September 2006: Chelsea 'own goal threat'[LNB]By the end of the 2005-06 season, Gallas's relationship with Chelsea was at breaking-point. Infuriated at being forced to play at left-back by Jose Mourinho, he refused to sign a new contract and left for Arsenal during the summer transfer window. Afterwards, Chelsea accused Gallas of threatening to score an own-goal or get himself sent off if he was forced to play for Chelsea again. Gallas angrily denied the rumours and considered suing the club.[LNB] Related ArticlesWin Arsenal v United ticketsArsenal Transfer TalkGallas to escape FA action after late tackleArsenal 4 Bolton 2Kieran Gibbs out for seasonCoyle: Gallas deserved red card for 'assault'February 2008: Meltdown at St Andrew's [LNB]In a game overshadowed by a horrific injury to Eduardo, Arsenal fans were incensed by the behaviour of Gallas, who had controversially been appointed captain. After Gael Clichy conceded a penalty in injury time, Gallas refused to watch, strolling to the halfway line and petulantly kicking an advertising hoarding. At full-time, he sat silently on the pitch until Arsene Wenger approached him and asked him to come inside.[LNB]June 2008: Euro row [LNB]In his autobiography Gallas revealed the tensions that plagued the French squad during their disastrous Euro 2008 campaign, culminating a training-ground bust-up between Gallas and a 20-year-old Sami Nasri, who he accused of disrespecting him. Nasri later revealed that the dispute began when he sat in Thierry Henry's regular seat on the team bus.[LNB]November 2008: Stripped of the captaincy [LNB]Wenger forgave Gallas his moment of madness at Birmingham, but was forced to act when his captain gave an ill-advised interview to the Associated Press. In it he claimed that his team-mates were "not brave enough" and appeared to accuse Robin van Persie of insulting him. This time he was stripped of the armband and dropped from the squad, but he stayed at the club.[LNB]March 2009: Toure criticism [LNB]As central defensive partners, Gallas and Kolo Toure shared a strong professional bond - but as Toure pointedly revealed in an interview, it was not one that continued off the pitch. "I am friends with Johan Djourou, Emmanuel Eboue and Gael Clichy, but not with William," he said. "We never got on well together." Wenger said he was not concerned as long as they worked together. Within months, Toure had joined Manchester City.[LNB]November 2009: Frustration in Dublin [LNB]As France struggled to find their rhythm in the first leg of their crucial World Cup play-off against Ireland, Gallas strode over to the touchline where his manager Raymond Domenech was standing and remonstrated with him, arms outstretched, at his team's lack of invention. Domenech returned the gesture, and the moment passed. France eventually won 1-0 from a deflected Nicolas Anelka shot.[LNB]
