Never try to take on the bookmaker. When this breed of people started taking bets that France would go home early from the World Cup they were on the money.
The French have imploded in South Africa. It hasn't all been because of their football which, at best, can be described as mediocre. Lack of team spirit and petulant behaviour has also resulted in the team staging a mini revolt against the officials for deciding to send the disgraced Nicolas Anelka back home.
Top-flight sports can bring to the fore pressures that sportsmen did not know even existed. But the skills of a finely tuned sportsman amount to nothing if the mind is incapable of withstanding hard knocks.
Fortune favoured France when they qualified for the World Cup. Having come all this way they have given a shoddy account of themselves — as footballers and role models.
Surely a more deserving team could have done better.
