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Letter: The Nicolas Anelka scandal

It is incredible to see how the Nicolas Anelka ruckus has caused such a  backlash in France that even the sports minister butted in to say the actions of Nicolas Anelka had tarnished the image of France

The Jakarta Post
Mon, June 28, 2010

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Letter: The Nicolas Anelka scandal

I

t is incredible to see how the Nicolas Anelka ruckus has caused such a  backlash in France that even the sports minister butted in to say the actions of Nicolas Anelka had tarnished the image of France.

This is ludicrous.

I can understand Anelka’s feelings. The French coach has not produced a good performance in the past and, as far as I can see, he should have been replaced a long time ago. If the soccer players are unhappy, they will perform badly.  

Anelka’s outburst is, of course, not to be applauded, but soccer players are very emotional individuals, which  is well-known by the majority of soccer coaches/trainers, that is the reason soccer players either perform well under good leadership or they play badly under bad coaching. Just look at Beckham’s livid reaction when he threw a shoe at coach Ferguson and walked out.

Barcelona’s players are happy with Pepe Guardiola’s coaching and leadership, which is why they perform so well. Look at coaches of other soccer clubs, how well they know their players and how they know how to stimulate the team to secure excellent performances during championships. A good coach will produce an excellent performance from the players.  

If the French sports minister fails to see this, she should be replaced as well. To accuse Anelka and state that he is the rotten apple in the basket is absurd.

Now, the French coach faces a stressful dilemma because some of the French soccer players side with Anelka and will probably refuse to play and just walk out.

Now who is the bad apple in the basket?

Lynna van der Zee-Oehmke
Bogor, West Java

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