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Mid-Day Ticker: Algerian captain benched, French unrest and more

MansouriGetty

By AVI CREDITOR

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane has benched captain Yazid Mansouri for the country's World Cup opener against Slovenia, stating that the midfielder is not in good enough form to start. Medhi Lacen will reportedly take his place in the lineup.

Other reports state that Mansouri walked out of practice after catching wind of the news.

The Desert Foxes received some good news, though, in light of the ruling that players who received red cards in the African Cup of Nations will not face World Cup suspensions. As a result, goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi and defender Nadir Belhadj will be available for selection when Algeria opens its World Cup on Sunday.

Algeria faces England on June 18 and the United States on June 23.

Here are a few more stories to get you through the final non-World Cup day for the next month:

FRANCE PLAYERS UNHAPPY WITH COACH

France coach Raymond Domenech's decision to bench Theirry Henry is not going over well in French camp.

Players are reportedly turning on Domenech for his personnel decisions, as many have voiced their opinions that Henry and Abou Diaby should start ahead of Yoann Gourcuff and Sidney Govou.

The lack of team chemistry has been evident in past friendlies as well, as Nicolas Anelka allegedly refused to pass to Gourcuff against Costa Rica.

The run-up to the World Cup has not been smooth for France, which gained entry to the tournament through Henry's infamous handball in the final qualifier. In addition to that, several players have been linked to an underage prostitute and the team lost to China in a friendly last week. France opens the World Cup Friday against Uruguay.

BENITEZ-TO-INTER OFFICIAL

Rafa Benitez is signed and sealed and will be delivered to the Italian press next Tuesday as the newest coach of Inter Milan. The former Liverpool boss inked a two-year contract at the San Siro, and he'll take over for Jose Mourinho while trying to guide Inter to back-to-back Champions League, Serie A and Copa Italia titles.

Those in the United States can see Benitez at the end of next month, when Inter plays Manchester City at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium on July 31. Inter is also scheduled to play friendlies with FC Dallas and the Los Angeles Galaxy during the first week of August.

MILNER, MAN. CITY CLOSE ON DEAL

England midfielder James Milner, who may not be fit for Saturday's World Cup opener against the United States, is reportedly close to transferring from Aston Villa to Manchester City.

The two clubs are discussing a deal for a £28 million transfer fee, and Milner would sign a five-year deal with the Citizens. The 24-year-old enjoyed a breakout season at Villa, racking up seven goals and 12 assists.

CHINESE JOURNALISTS ROBBED IN JOHANNESBURG

World Cup journalists were robbed in South Africa for a second time on Wednesday. The same day that three journalists were robbed at gunpoint in their hotel, four Chinese journalists were robbed on the streets of Johannesburg. Armed robbers reportedly stole cash and a camera.

South African police have said that three arrests were made in connection to the first robbery.

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What do you think about Algeria's captain being benched? Disappointed that the cards received in the African Cup of Nations won't affect the World Cup? Do you expect France to overcome its off-field issues? Plan on seeing Inter in the States this summer?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. The Black Eyed Peas are more organized than the French National team at this point. It’s a good thing the French have good wine, because they’re going to have to drink their memories away after this tournament.

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  2. I’m so freakin’ excited!! I just want tomorrow to get here so I can overdose on soccer for four weeks! It’s like the day before Christmas!

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  3. I wouldn’t – another team owned by a billionaire buying up talent that will sit on the bench is great for football in England.

    Can’t wait for the never has beens to try to become something and fail like they always have.

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  4. 28 million pounds is an awful, awful lot for Milner. But I can’t see anything happening until after the World Cup. In fact, I’m holding out hope that it doesn’t happen at all.

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  5. watch out, people are gonna jump on your comment because you dared to say something bad about Africa…

    but hey… waka waka

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  6. ha haa, William! I am picking France to implode in this tournament. Their group opponents are too hungry, and too organized. You can’t just waltz in the the World Cup with an unsettled roster and locker room drama and expect to come out with a win. Mexico will take them apart, and Uruguay will give them all they can handle. Plus they play the hosts… when was the last time a host nation did not advance?

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  7. I love the way the press is jumping on any story about journalists being robbed in SA. Like that wouldn’t happen in New York/London/Rio de Janiero/Madrid!

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  8. Maybe Crazy Ray has a legitimate reason for not starting Henry. For instance, perhaps Henry has bilateral hand injuries that would limit his passing ability inside the penalty area. Any of you guys even consider that?

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  9. Henry is a handful when he puts on that French jersey. He got them in this tournament! The least they can do is start the guy.

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  10. I pick South Africa and Uruguay to make it out of that group. South Africa will do well due to home field advantage. France looks terrible, and even though Mexico has looked good, Uruguay is underrated. Ives, besides having a fantasy football game picking individual players, are you going to have one picking teams?

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  11. govou is awful. he doesnt deserve to start for France, he’s not even a starter at Lyon. Ribery should be on the right even though he doesnt like it

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  12. wooow … france is messing up. This could be a breakout world cup for gourcuff, anelka is acting like a stubborn child (if its true he didn’t pass to him). I think gourcuff is better than diaby and both govou and henry are decent options can’t really go wrong there.

    Reply

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