Anelka and Henry still want their World Cup bonuses

Category: Football

Publish Date: 12-21-2010 03:34 PM -0500

In November, the disgraced French World Cup team decided to try and improve its image by agreeing to give its estimated €2-3 million bonus from sponsorship revenue to various charities. So, every member of the squad signed a document from the French Football Federation agreeing to forgo their bonuses. But now it turns out there are still two players who haven't done so. And yes, one of them is the guy who got kicked off the team.

From the AP:

Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry are the only players from the France squad that lost in the first round of the World Cup yet to agree to give up their tournament bonuses. [...]

Communications director Francois Manardo told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the federation has not heard from Anelka or Henry and does not know “whether they will sign.”

The Liberation newspaper claimed that Anelka was refusing to sign after being suspended for 18 games following his clash with former coach Raymond Domenech at the World Cup.

The report said Henry is showing his discontent at being used as a substitute in South Africa.

Keeping money that is to be given to charity? Oh yeah, that'll show 'em. 

In case you can't tell, the embarrassing reverberations of France's doomed 2010 World Cup debacle will continue forever. Every time we start to forget, the rumbling will begin again and Raymond Domenech will crawl back into your thoughts.  

UPDATE: According to Anelka, he was never asked to sign the waiver and only heard about the arrangement through the press. And because of that, plus his lingering discontent with the FFF, he has decided to keep his bonus and give it to causes of his own choosing. 

UPDATE II: And now Henry has agreed to donate his bonus, as well. The wonders of public pressure at work...

Photo: AP

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