France Ashamed
France Ashamed If anyone thinks that the people of France are upset about the way that the country's national team bowed out of the World Cup, they should check in with gamblers. After France lost to South Africa on Tuesday, bettors were incensed.

"This seems to me like the players were sending a message to everyone who put this team together that they did not like the coach," said Mark Reynolds. "I should have known they were going to tank this game before I placed my bet in Las Vegas."

Reynolds is one of many gamblers who lost big when France no-showed for the South Africa match. France was a heavy betting favorite even with the turmoil that surrounded the team for much of the World Cup.

Over the weekend, coach Raymond Domenech received a verbal blasting from striker Nicolas Anelka. The player was expelled from the team, and player protested by boycotting practice on Sunday.

Instead of giving in, the coach and the French soccer federation went the other way. Captain Patrice Evra and five others were benched for the start of the match against South Africa.

Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot had tried to rally the troops after being sent to South Africa by President Nicolas Sarkozy. Bachelot told the players they were destroying the nation's image, but the players chose to ignore his pleas.

When the players return home to France, many of them will find themselves without endorsement deals they had when they left. Advertisers and fans are all ashamed of the players' behavior, and the fallout for the French soccer team will be massive.

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