Blanc suspends French World Cup squad
Soccer Betting Lines
07/23/2010 -
Paris, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New France manager Laurent Blanc has decided
to suspend the entire 23-man team that took part in this summer's World Cup
for their friendly match against Norway next month.
Under the direction of former boss Raymond Domenech, France scored only one
goal and earned just a single point from its three group stage matches as Les
Bleus finished on the bottom of Group A.
Making matters even worse for France was the fact that the squad refused to
train prior to their final match against South Africa in protest of striker
Nicolas Anelka being sent home by Domenech after the two exchanged words.
A statement on the French Football Federation website read: "Laurent Blanc met
this Friday, July 23, with the federal council, to whom he presented his staff
and his sporting project. He also proposed to the federal council, who
accepted, not to retain for the friendly against Norway, on Wednesday, August
11 in Oslo, any of the 23 players officially selected by the French Football
Federation for the World Cup in South Africa. Laurent Blanc will release the
list of players retained for this match against Norway on Thursday August 5."
<< New England Patriots 2010 Training Camp Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) -
REPORT DATES: July 25th (Rookies), July 28th (Veterans)
SITE: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA
CAMP OBJECTIVES: Apart from Randy Moss, the men Tom Brady will be throwing to
on Week 1 are unknown. Wes Welker is unlikely t
<< Cincinnati Bengals 2010 Training Camp Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) -
REPORT DATE: July 28th
SITE: Georgetown College, Georgetown, KY
CAMP OBJECTIVES: After making the playoffs with what was primarily a ground-
control offense last season, the Bengals made a number of moves in the
offs
<< Buffalo Bills 2010 Training Camp Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) -
REPORT DATE: July 29th
SITE: St. John Fisher College, Pittsford, NY
CAMP OBJECTIVES: Chan Gailey, the only new head coach in the AFC in 2010, has
some work cut out for him in his first training camp with the Bills. Fi
<< Denver Broncos 2010 Training Camp Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) -
REPORT DATE: July 26th (rookies), July 31st (veterans)
SITE: Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Broncos Centre, Englewood, CO
CAMP OBJECTIVES: It's going to be a messy summer at the glamour positions for
the Broncos. Kyle Orton
<< Cleveland Browns 2010 Training Camp Preview
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) -
REPORT DATE: July 23rd (Rookies), July 30th (Veterans)
SITE: Cleveland Browns Training Facility, Berea, OH
CAMP OBJECTIVES: Eric Mangini's second training camp as head coach of the
Browns should go much more smoothly
Browns make it official with McCoy >>
Berea, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Browns made it official on Friday
and signed quarterback Colt McCoy to a multi-year contract.
Terms of the deal for the former University of Texas star were not disclosed,
but the Cleveland Plai
Canucks D Sami Salo tears Achilles' tendon >>
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -Vancouver Canucks defenseman Sami Salo has torn his Achilles' tendon and is out indefinitely.The team said Friday that Salo was hurt ``while training'' and would not comment further. But a report in his native Finla
Cavaliers sign 2009 first rounder Eyenga >>
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed
guard/forward Christian Eyenga.
Per team policy, no details of the deal were announced.
The 21-year-old Eyenga was the Cavs' first-round choice and the 30th o
Bacsinszky, Meusburger advance in Bad Gastein >>
Bad Gastein, Austria (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Second-seeded Timea Bacsinszky of
Switzerland and Austrian veteran Yvonne Meusburger were among the quarterfinal
winners Friday at the Gastein Ladies tennis tournament.
Bacsinszky, the highest-rem
Choi takes 1-shot lead in Sweden >>
Stockholm, Sweden (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - K.J. Choi took the lead Friday at the
Scandinavian Masters with a five-under 67 in the second round.
Choi finished 36 holes on the Stadium Course at Bro Hof Slott Golf Club with a
nine-under 135, movi
Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
Bet on NFL
Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
Bet on NFL
Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard
|
