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Barthez in midst of Israeli storm
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Barthez in midst of Israeli storm
March 30, 2005
Fabien Barthez, the veteran France goalkeeper, has found himself at the centre of a storm in Israel after expressing fears over his safety before departing for Tel-Aviv last week.
The political situation in the Middle East has led to heightened tensions between Israel and France, who oppose the United States’ favourable policy towards Israel.
Against that backdrop, Barthez had declared that France should not have to visit Israel because of the security situation, and voiced concern over the safety of the players on their voyage to Tel-Aviv.
Referring to Israel’s actions in the Palestinian region, the 73-times-capped former Manchester United man said last week: “When I see all the suffering in the world, I don’t understand why they would want to play in Israel. I don’t like it at all. I am speaking as a father and not as a soccer player.”
His words have led to suggestions that the Israeli crowd will protest during the playing of the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise”, before the game this evening.
Barthez, 33, is no stranger to controversy, but even by his standards the past few weeks have been incredibly contentious.
He was criticised by the French sports minister Jean-Francois Lamour after denouncing the ailing state of the game in the modern era, and – as if to underline his analysis – faces a lengthy ban when he comes in front of a disciplinary committee next month, charged with spitting at a referee during a recent game between Olympique Marseilles and Moroccan team Wydad Casdablanca.
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F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
| Italy |
10 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
18 |
7 |
11 |
24 |
| Rep of Ireland |
10 |
4 |
6 |
0 |
12 |
8 |
4 |
18 |
| Bulgaria |
10 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
17 |
13 |
4 |
14 |
| Cyprus |
10 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
14 |
16 |
-2 |
9 |
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10 |
1 |
6 |
3 |
9 |
14 |
-5 |
9 |
| Georgia |
10 |
0 |
3 |
7 |
7 |
19 |
-12 |
3 |
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