The 2010 World Cup was destructive for France, and a new Netflix documentary dives into the issues that surrounded the team. After finishing last in its Euro 2008 group with just one point, the pressure mounted on a France team that included Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka, Franck Ribery, Patrice Evra and other top talents. However, the side suffered its worst performance at the World Cup. Yet, the far more memorable occurrence was what happened with dissent within the squad and the ensuing suspensions. 



A new Netflix documentary goes into detail about how French head coach Raymond Domenech <a href="https://www.footmercato.net/a2756012613477460934-netflix-prepare-un-documentaire-sur-le-scandale-de-knysna" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lost control</a> of the squad. The controversy eventually brought in the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy. By the end of the tournament, Anelka picked up a suspension from the France Football Federation for 18 games. Evra would miss the next five France games while Ribery would be out of the squad for the ensuing three. 



In the second group-stage game, France was losing to Mexico. Anelka delivered a fiery rant toward Domenech, and the midfielder refused to apologize after the game. That forced the French coaching staff to send Anelka home. Evra clashed with another member of the France coaching staff, and the players had to intervene to ensure the bust-up did not amount to anything more serious. The sports minister of France, Roselyn Bachelot, spoke directly to the France squad. She asked them if this is how they wanted to establish their legacy as France players at a World Cup. The speech was so powerful and meaningful that many of the French players teared up about their legacy.



France went on to lose the last match of its World Cup campaign against South Africa. With one point and a single goal scored, France finished at the bottom of its group. The ramifications of everything that happened in the tournament were extreme. The suspensions hurt individual players, but the entire squad picked up a one-game suspension from the FFF.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240610_WST_511016_Anelka-2010-World-Cup-1200x670_9e70b8b7.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-511018" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/Anelka-2010-World-Cup-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/Anelka-2010-World-Cup-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/Anelka-2010-World-Cup-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/Anelka-2010-World-Cup.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<h2>Netflix documentary dives into detail on France at 2010 World Cup</h2>



The documentary will have first-hand accounts of what happened in South Africa during that tournament. Calling upon Evra and Domenech will call upon both sides of the altercations within the France camp. Dolores Emile, the director of documentaries and streaming programs at Netflix France, discussed what fans can expect from the program. 



“We will tell how they, in particular, experienced it almost hour by hour, from the inside. With what we thought we knew but which we never really knew… It’s a succession of actions, ultimately very personal, leading to a collective movement which went beyond sport,” Emile said.



Soccer documentaries have become an increasingly in-depth way to enjoy soccer. Many of those pertain to new-era issues or players. Netflix’s previous documentaries focus on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/mourinho-documentary-launches-on-netflix-what-will-it-show/">Jose Mourinho</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/manchester-city-netflix-clip-teases-guardiola-tactical-mastermind/">Manchester City</a>, as examples. Apple released documentaries about Lionel Messi, with one <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/messis-world-cup-on-apple-tv-recaptures-magic-of-triumph-20240219-WST-489894.html">about the 2022 World Cup</a> and the other about his <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/second-new-messi-documentary-in-the-works-by-apple-tv-20230814-WST-449975.html">time with Inter Miami</a>. Paramount+ has also dropped a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/paramount-set-to-release-docuseries-about-uefa-champions-league-20230516-WST-433096.html">series about the UEFA Champions League</a>.



There is no release date for the Netflix documentary about the 2010 World Cup for France. 



PHOTOS: IMAGO

Netflix documentary recounts dark 2010 World Cup for France

The 2010 World Cup was destructive for France, and a new Netflix documentary dives into the issues that surrounded the team.

<div style="width: 343px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div>The Man Who Still Holds the Key to Arsenal&apos;s Future</div>
At first glance, this question looks bleedingly obvious. With their massive fan base, a beautiful new 60,000 plus seat stadium, and their years of success and trophies, Arsenal should be quite clearly considered to be a “big club.” For the past decade and more, they have been considered part of the so-called Big Four, along with Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool. But now that old order is crumbling, and Arsenal are struggling to keep pace with the other big clubs.
Just about three weeks ago, when Tottenham Hotspur beat Arsenal, Guardian pundit (and EPL Talk award winner) Barry Glendenning made an offhanded comment that should really stick in the gut of all Arsenal fans. He stated that of course Spurs should beat us. They spend significantly more money than us on players. He’s dead right. And now it has come to this: Tottenham are on the verge of finally, and perhaps permanently, overtaking Arsenal as the dominant club in North London.
 
My fellow Gooners. Read that again. That should strike fear in the heart of every Arsenal fan around the globe.
But the numbers and the reality doesn’t lie. Sure, Arsenal has finished above Tottenham for 15 straight seasons. But you don’t get a trophy for that. And now that Tottenham has finally reaped Champions League riches, these days are certainly numbered as well.
Which leads me back to my original question. Can Arsenal continue to call themselves a big club over the long-term without spending the requisite money?
While Arsenal continue to stay amongst the strongest clubs in Europe on the Forbes list, they have definitely fallen behind domestic rivals Chelsea and Man U, and most certainly behind Barcelona, Real Madrid, and perhaps even Bayern Munich. With the rise of Manchester City and Spurs, it won’t be long before Arsenal find themselves behind these clubs.
But the question has to be asked: Why?
When did Arsenal fall behind to the point where they may simply not be able to keep up? Arsenal have sold big players before, most notably Nicolas Anelka. What makes them different now, and why can’t they recover?
1. Inability to Market Themselves, Especially Outside Europe. By all measures, Arsenal play the perfect style to be the most popular club in North America and Asia. They play wide open, attractive football, and their skill and talent makes crowds want to see them play, even in opposing markets. But Arsene Wenger remains very stubborn. As the Gaffer wrote just six months ago, the fact that Arsenal have not gone on such a tour is almost criminal. The fact that Arsenal have also ignored key markets in Asia, while allowing clubs such as Liverpool, Everton, and of course Chelsea and Manchester United dominate that region has been business malpractice by Arsene Wenger.
2. Smart Spending In Face of Massive Debt. This is one that i will credit Arsene for. While other clubs, most notably Manchester United And Liverpool, spent heavily in the face of massive debt, Arsenal actually made a large profit over the last three seasons, selling such luminaries as Adebayor, Flamini, and Kolo Toure. Liverpool, however, have spent freely, adding Aquilani, Torres, and others. That club may pay the ultimate price: if a new owner isn’t found soon, they may become the new Leeds, forced to sell off players and plunge through the ranks of the football league.
3. Lack of development and motivation of some key players. While I will not spend this column harking on the failure of players like Denilson or Theo Walcott to grow at the club level, it is important to note that a number of these young players have not developed in the way we all thought they would. Sure, some of it has to do with key injuries, but this can not be an excuse: it is Arsene Wenger’s job to highlight not just the top talent, but also durable talent. Every manager knows that the Premier League season is long and grueling. The manager must find players up to the task.
4. Lack of depth. Three and four are very much related. Everyone this side of Rotterdam knows that Robin van Persie gets injured. Everyone, that is, except for Arsene Wenger. When RVP is inevitably out for 3-4 months with some sort of calf/knee/ankle/foot injury, Arsene Wenger has no plan B. But the facts don’t lie. When Didier Drogba was out for a couple months, Nic Anelka was there to pick up the scoring slack. Arsenal simply have no other striker option good enough. Eduardo is not the same player he was before the injury; he may never be. Nik Bendtner is just starting to scratch the surface of his talent. At this point, however, he’s simply not a reliable option.
5. Arsene Wenger Himself. This is the one that is really hardest for me to write. But first, a confession. I generally hate all the coaches/managers of teams I root for. I have always disliked Jim Leyland, even when the Tigers made their first World Series in 22 years. My anger toward Lloyd Carr was unparalleled when he was the coach at Michigan. There has only been one coach who I have steadfastly supported: Arsene Wenger. It was hard not to. The man brought trophy after trophy to Arsenal. Every fan swore their allegiance: “In Arsene We Trust,” the banner reads behind the goal. But is Arsene Wenger really deserving of that? The past five seasons don’t lie: While the ship has been sinking, while Arsenal players struggled (especially in goal), Arsene Wenger behaved not like one of the winningest managers in history, but more like Baghdad Bob. “We have utmost confidence in (insert flopping continental keeper name here)” he would say, while that keeper flubbed one or two goals almost every game. Arsene Wenger needs someone to offset him, someone to say to him “Arsene, we really need a new keeper.” “Arsene, Silvestre and Billy Gallas aren’t good enough.” In other words, Arsene Wenger needs someone to tell him when he’s wrong. He’s been wrong on the keeper, he was wrong to not buy depth the last couple years (as stars were likely out of our price range), and he’s wrong not to strengthen the squad at the back and at the front. If Arsene Wenger is unable to notice these things on his own, he needs someone to tell him when he’s wrong. Before it’s too late.
While Cesc may walk now, and Gallas not long after, it is clear that Arsenal have a lot of decisions to make. While a lot of these fall on the shoulders of one man, it is important that he understands that his years of winning have bought him a lot of patience. But a fifth consecutive season without silverware, and a 4th without any sort of final appearance, will see the end of the patience from a lot of fans. While he can point fingers at Barcelona or Chelsea “tapping up” our players, it is clear that Arsene has not done enough to convince our players that their futures lie at Arsenal. In 2010-2011, Arsene has the chance to reverse the bleeding. If he does not, a steady and perhaps irreversible decline may be at hand at Arsenal.
Jordan Acker will continue to love his Gunners no matter what. Follow him on Twitter at @JAcker2L

Is Arsenal Still a Big Club? - World Soccer Talk

Is Arsenal Still a Big Club?

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
Carlo Ancelotti has certainly stamped his mark on Chelsea early in the season so far. A Community Shield victory, coupled with 3 Premiership wins on the bounce has seen Chelsea rise to the top end of the table. So far, so what then? Nothing surprising in that in itself, would we expect the any of the big four to not already be putting markers down for the early running. What did make me sit up and take notice was Michael Essien being placed on the bench so early.
Ancelotti said after yesterdays game that he wanted to rest Essien as he was tired after his efforts in the midweek win at Sunderland. Two weeks in to the season and rotation is already being seen in Chelsea’s team selection. In the two games since the opening day win against Hull, Ancelotti has changed 4 players in both starting line-ups, with only 6 players starting all 3 games.

Cech, Cole, Boswinga, Terry, Lampard and Drogba are the the six in question with only Lampard retaining his place in Ancelotti’s much discussed midfield diamond formation. Perhaps this is the managers way of dealing with the fragile ego’s that modern footballers display on a daily basis by showing that match time is available to as many of the players as possible. Yet, Lampard has been moved around the midfield diamond, starting on the right against Hull, on the left hand side against Sunderland and then at the forward point against Fulham.
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20090824_WST_10336_479934052_dd2e2cb1bd.webp&amp;width=400&amp;height=356" alt="" width="400" height="356"></figure></div>
Against Fulham, Lampard was consistently further forward throughout the game than I’d seen in a long time. Whilst there is no doubt that Lampard remains the most potent and consistent attacking midfielder in the Premiership, his position often saw him playing alongside Drogba and Anelka at Craven Cottage.I’ve only ever seen him playing so offensively in cup matches against lower league opposition but Fulham never got to grips with Lampard positioning. Chelsea’s were then able to control the ball and Fulham never looked likely to stop the flow through to the strikers.
Perhaps this is a part of the new midfield system that Ancelotti is trying to instill into the Chelsea midfield. By rotating the starting positions of the midfield, especially with such experienced international players keeps their opponents guessing. It seems designed to confuse teams that will be looking to specify defensive midfielders to do a man marking job on Lampard. Clever players can always cope with these systems, that seem to allow the midfield to rotate fluidly throughout the match.
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20090824_WST_10336_2626409137_08f912556f.webp&amp;width=250&amp;height=300" alt="" width="250" height="300"></figure></div>
It’s certainly given Chelsea a little bit more mystery when they play. Against Sunderland, they were constantly breaking in waves, pouring forward from the midfield but seemingly taking turns to lead the charge. Deco would go, then Ballack, then Lampard, occasionally Essien would burst forward confusing the opponents even more. Perhaps he’s already trying to work out how things will shape up when the African Cup Of Nations kicks off in January.
I’ve been very impressed with Ancelotti’s work so far, but the first real test will in October when the Blues entertain Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.Once we see this fluid diamond formation come up against top class midfielders trying to dismantle it, it will interesting to see if still works as well.

Diamonds Are Back In Fashion At Stamford Bridge - World Soccer Talk

Diamonds Are Back In Fashion At Stamford Bridge

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
Is there anything Tim Cahill can’t do?
Tim Cahill’s week defines the word jet lag. From Liverpool to Japan for a World Cup Qualifier. His performance for Australia wasn’t exactly great, then again neither was Australia’s. Cahill had to be thankful Everton’s FA Cup tie against Aston Villa was on Sunday, I don’t think he would have played had the game been Saturday.
Despite the fatigue Cahill obviously had, he willed Everton into the Quarterfinals with a 3-1 thrashing of Aston Villa. It wasn’t his best day, but it was a day we are all too use to from Cahill. He set up the first goal with a header that Stiliyan Petrov should have been sent off for, only for Jack Rodwell to finish. You could almost not blame Cahill for the yellow he received in the first half, knowing there is a UEFA Cup game midweek, he could use the rest against Newcastle United. However with Steve Bennett’s allegations last week, one could wonder if he intended to get booked on purpose.
Everton’s third goal was a typical Cahill goal, right place at the right time. You would think teams would know to find him at the far post. But the way he ghosts onto said far post, he’s easily forgotten. His finishing though isn’t.
Manchester United finished off Derby County by halftime, enough said.
So that leads us into the <a href="http:\/\/www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/FACup_6RoundDraw_details.htm" target="_blank">quarterfinal draw</a>. With a fourth round replay to be had, and a fifth round tie still to be played along with four replays, fourteen teams are still alive for those four spots at Wembley. Not one tie is set in stone either, which adds to the uncertainty of this draw. I can only go with draws I hope for. I think Chris Coleman’s Coventry City hosting Chelsea would make an interesting tie. What would Roberto Martinez’s Swansea City do at home against Manchester United? Could Burnley’s wait for the fifth round pay off with a home tie against Sheffield United, or could we see Hull City back at the Emirates? Does Everton really mind which Premier League side they get?
And now the rest of the news. 
In something I said last week, Luiz Felipe Scolri has come out and hinted that <a href="http:\/\/www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1765_4921612,00.html" target="_blank">John Terry</a> did not have full support in the dressing room at Chelsea. Color me shocked.
In further Scolari post Chelsea backstabbing, Nicolas Anelka has attacked Scolari for not trying to forge the ‘dream’ partnership between Anelka and Drogba up front. That goes to show Scolari didn’t have a plan b, but I also wonder if had Scolari partnered the two up front if it would have worked out…I don’t think it would have because the two had already tuned Scolari out.
And in one last bit of Scolari news, could <a href="http:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1145902/Manchester-City-line-axed-Chelsea-boss-Scolari-replace-Hughes-bid-lure-Kaka-Eastlands.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">Manchester City</a> be his next employer? I guess they really are that desparate for Kaka.
I wonder how much <a href="http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/chelsea/4629304/Jose-Mourinho-wants-Chelsea-return.html" target="_blank">Jose Mourinho</a> is enjoying what is going on at Chelsea?
<a href="http:\/\/www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1765_4925528,00.html" target="_blank">Avram Grant</a> is eying up the Portsmouth job. It just seems the only way he’ll get it is if Portsmouth can’t come to terms in order to get <a href="http:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1145570/EXCLUSIVE-Pompey-close-deal-Sven-Goran-Eriksson-Mexico-dream-collapses.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">Sven</a>.
Speaking of Portsmouth, executive chairman Peter Storrie has been rearrested with regards to the bung scandal. I guess that would leave massive <a href="http:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1145402/Pompey-chief-Peter-Storrie-questioned-tax-issue.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">tax issues</a>.
Add <a href="http:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1145722/Neville-follow-Giggs-agree-new-year-deal-United.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">Gary Neville</a> to the list of those who have signed another year contract at Old Trafford.
And finally, <a href="http:\/\/www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4925204,00.html" target="_blank">Dean Ashton</a> admits his season is over.

Cahill Does It Again, FA Cup Draw Thoughts, And Other Premier League News - World Soccer Talk

Cahill Does It Again, FA Cup Draw Thoughts, And Other Premier League News

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
How would you like to have been a Manchester City or Blackburn Rovers fan heading from the north of England to the south, only to do a turnabout and head home after finding out your upcoming fixture was canceled? I know if it was me, a few words of the four letter variety would have came forth from my mouth. (If you were traveling to one of those two games, or any other game this weekend that was called off, what was your reaction to finding out that it was indeed canceled?)
While yes the cold snap in England last weekend took out a <a href="http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/4212872/Fulham-v-Blackburn-called-off-as-cold-weather-hits-fixtures.html" target="_blank">huge chunk</a> of the English footballing schedule, there is no excuse in my mind for a club to have to call a match off because of a frozen pitch. If you are a top flight club, making sure your pitch can withstand a freeze should be something that is easily taken care of. Using heaters on the pitch (as was reported on the BBC Text Commentary on Saturday morning) should never happen.&nbsp; As for Fulham, if Sam Allardyce is to be believed, they don’t even have <a href="http:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1111862/Blackburn-manager-Allardyce-wants-better-pitch-protection-late-off.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">underground heating</a>.
With only the <a href="http:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1112785/Fulham-Portsmouth-face-threat-fines-Premier-League-demand-answers-postponed-matches.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">threat of fines</a> being thrown about over this, to me this isn’t enough. The only two things a Premier League match should be called for is fog and the fact it’s raining harder than the field can drain (which with today’s technology would have to be one hell of a downpour). If it was up to me, both Portsmouth and Fulham would be losing the three points via forfeit. A strong message has to be sent out that unnecessary postponements will not be tolerated, and the only way for that to happen is if teams start losing the points they could possibly gain.
I would have thought that after Rafa Benitez went off on Fergie, saw his Liverpool side draw with Stoke, and then saw Manchester United defeat Chelsea this past Sunday, he would have kept his mouth shut. I guess I was wrong. Instead, Rafa has now turned his attention towards <a href="http:\/\/www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1765_4782999,00.html" target="_blank">David Gill</a> and his position within the FA. Look Rafa, after being humiliated in the manner in which you were last weekend, now isn’t the time to be turning the screws on a rival club. In fact, dare I say you’ve actually allowed this to turn into a major distraction to the club you manage?
Rafa is not the person to decide what is normal or not within the FA. Bringing David Gill up after your humiliating weekend only cries of sour grapes and desperation. Being top of the league and desperate is something you never want to show.
Other Stories 
This story is just funny after the fact. What was <a href="http:\/\/soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=608230&amp;sec=england&amp;campaign=rss&amp;source=soccernet&amp;cc=5901" target="_blank">Jose Bosingwa</a> thinking when he said ‘we know what to do to stop him’ (him being Cristiano Ronaldo).
Is Manchester City fixing to buy up <a href="http:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/01/11/manchester-city-to-hijack-arsenal-deal-for-andrei-arshavin-115875-21032771/" target="_blank">Andrei Arshavin</a> away from Arsenal? Just remember the source of this story.
<a href="http:\/\/www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1765_4783282,00.html" target="_blank">Phil Brown</a> states the obvious when he says there are 14 teams in a relegation fight. That’s only for now, it’ll slowly start to clear up…eventually.
Stoke City welcome back <a href="http:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1113649/Stoke-seal-3-75m-signing-Beattie-Blackburn-lose-interest.html?ITO=1490" target="_blank">James Beattie</a> to the Premier League. How much help Beattie gives Stoke up front remains to be seen.
This is an interesting set of stories from Chelsea. While <a href="http:\/\/www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1765_4784682,00.html" target="_blank">Nicolas Anelka</a> is saying the Blues chances of winning the title are alive, one of the red top specials tonight speaks of a bust up between <a href="http:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2123934.ece?OTC-RSS&amp;ATTR=Football" target="_blank">Luiz Felipe Scolari</a> and Nicolas Anelka. While I wonder how much of that second story is actual fact.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Nicolas Anelka"

TV

Netflix documentary recounts dark 2010 World Cup for France

General

Is Arsenal Still a Big Club?

General

Diamonds Are Back In Fashion At Stamford Bridge

General

Cahill Does It Again, FA Cup Draw Thoughts, And Other Premier League News

General

No Excuse For Frozen Pitches While Rafa Fails With Words