MX23RW : Monday, January 6 03:55:23| >> :600:985114:985114:

Bacary Sagna: 'France squad disputes were avoidable'

Sagna: 'France squad disputes were avoidable'
© PA Photos
Bacary Sagna has claimed that France's regrettable behaviour is to blame for their quarter-final exit from Euro 2012.

France full-back Bacary Sagna believes that his nation only have themselves to blame for a quarter-final exit at Euro 2012.

The Arsenal defender claims that rifts within the camp could have been avoided and regrets the bad image that the squad have been left with.

Before the tournament France were tipped to do well in the tournament having come off a 21-match unbeaten run.

However unrest within the squad is starting to become a recurring theme, as the players famously refused to train at the 2010 World Cup as a result of Nicolas Anelka's exclusion.

"It's a shame. We had the potential to go further," the Gunners defender told L'Equipe.

"People would take me for a madman for saying that, but I saw a team that could go to the final. I had faith in them."

"I was especially p****d off to hear the stories going around. That's regrettable - in the end it gives a bad image of us, the team, and the press for no reason. It's a waste of a competition. Everything was avoidable."

The 29 year-old defender, who has been capped 32 times by his country, was unavailable for selection for Euro 2012 after breaking his leg for the second time in one season against Norwich City in May.

ID:32188: cacheID:32188:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2087:
Written by
Mark Siglioccolo
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Laurent Blanc
Read Next:
Blanc's future to be decided soon
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!