Kick out the French rebels, says Swiss coach Hitzfeld

Updated on: 21 June,2010 07:30 AM IST |
AFP |

Switzerland's veteran coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said French football officials had just one solution to the crisis engulfing their World Cup dream ufffd kick out the rebels.

Switzerland's veteran coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said French football officials had just one solution to the crisis engulfing their World Cup dream ufffd kick out the rebels.

France's campaign hit a new low when the players refused to train in protest at the expulsion of star striker Nicolas Anelka for a foul-mouthed tirade at coach Raymond Domenech.

"I would say to the players, this is bye bye," he told AFP.

The 61-year-old German added: "This has never happened to me so far.

"A coach and his players must take the same path. If not it's bye bye, I would, tell them ufffd this is where our paths part."

Former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich coach Hitzfeld had earlier lauded his side of giantkillers who stunned Spain 1-0 in their opening match and who face Chile here today with a place in the last 16 firmly within their reach.

"My team has a very strong character. We have a lot of young players but also experienced ones. All of them realise how sensational a result it was to beat Spain but they also know they can't take it for granted."

Meanwhile, Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque, who once suspended Anelka when he played for him at Real Madrid, said the controversy was bad news for football.

"When a player rebels against his coach, I don't believe it shows football in a good light," said Del Bosque. ufffd

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels