Lloris laments 'stupid' strike

Les Bleus No.1 says World Cup revolt was 'big mistake'

Last updated: 23rd July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Lloris laments 'stupid' strike

Lloris: Regrets France strike

We went way too far. It was a clumsy decision, a big mistake. It was totally stupid.

Hugo Lloris
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France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has branded the squad's decision to go on strike during a World Cup training session as 'totally stupid'.

Les Bleus walked out of training at the tournament in South Africa this summer in protest to the treatment of team-mate Nicolas Anelka, who was sent home after a bust-up with former coach Raymond Domenech during the second group match.

The squad, who were eliminated from the competition at the group stage after failing to win a game, have since come under fire from French fans and politicians for their conduct.

And Lyon shot-stopper Lloris, the France No.1, has revealed his shame at the squad's behaviour, admitting they went 'way too far'.

"Going on strike was the decision of a group that felt isolated, that felt no one had protected it, and that wanted to get a message across," Lloris told L'Equipe.

"We went way too far. It was a clumsy decision, a big mistake. It was totally stupid."

Criticism

The incident has prompted much criticism in France, with former defender Lilian Thuram, now a French Football Federation council member, calling for some players, including captain Patrice Evra, never to play for the national team again.

And 23-year-old Lloris admits Les Bleus will have to work hard to rebuild their tarnished reputation.

"We acted more like a team in the bus than on the pitch," added Lloris.

"We all want to restore the image of Les Bleus. I'm not asking for us to win everything, just that we all make an effort, that we give everything.

"We need to get back to basics, respect for the jersey, for ourselves, our teammates and the institution that is the France team."

Lloris, who has 14 international caps to his name, stopped short of blaming Domenech for France's World Cup failure, but accepted the team continually fell short under his reign.

Laurent Blanc has succeeded Domenech as coach as the squad look to move on from the incident, and Lloris has acknowledged the players have an obligation "to make sure what happened in South Africa never happens again, that we don't self-destruct in that way ever again."

Euro 2012 Winner Win Outright: France 12/1