Source: Team_Talk
Malouda apologies to France fans
France winger Florent Malouda has apologised to Les Bleus fans for the nation's shocking 2010 World Cup finals campaign.[LNB] After scraping through the play-offs against Republic of Ireland things went from bad to worse for the 2006 runners-up.[LNB]Although Les Bleus drew their opener with Uruguay they lost their remaining two Group A matches with Mexico and South Africa.[LNB]Controversy erupted following their 2-0 defeat to Mexico after Nicolas Anelka was sent home for failing to apologise for Raymond Domenech.[LNB]France's squad took exception to Anelka's punishment by refusing to train on Sunday, actions that failed to sit well with the French Football Federation (FFF).[LNB]"I want to apologise to the French fans in the name of the players for our poor run," he told L'Equipe.[LNB]"We are not proud of what we've done. Maybe we didn't have exemplary behaviour. I don't know how we'll be forgiven. [LNB]"It's been a complete disaster. This isn't what we wanted to show. We didn't want to flout our colours. [LNB]"Patrice Evra wanted to hold a press conference before the last match, but he was told it was not the right time.[LNB]"After Anelka's exclusion maybe we reacted badly by striking, but we didn't appreciate seeing him blamed for the group's responsibility.[LNB]"Frankly there was no one poor individual in the group. Nico is not a lot, and there was no traitor in the squad.[LNB]"We were the victims of poor decisions under pressure. We cracked.[LNB]"I don't want to end my career in a Les Bleus shirt, but we have to think about the reasons behind the failure and talk about it with the new coach."[LNB]FFF chairman Jean-Pierre Escalettes, who has been criticised for being unable to manage the crisis, insists he will not resign.[LNB]Laurent Blanc is set to replace Domenech this summer and Escalettes is backing the Bordeaux coach to revive the nation's fortunes.[LNB]"I have two feelings, shame and sadness, but I tell myself I can't give up in a crisis. I won't leave. I'll leave if I have to, if I'm asked.[LNB]"We'll gather the federal council early in July to establish everyone's responsibility.[LNB]"What fills me with consternation is what happened last weekend. 50 years of values have collapsed.[LNB]"French Football is not dead. The future is Laurent Blanc. I have full trust in Blanc to rebuild. The task will be difficult but won't scare him."
