|
Mamadou Sakho hit out at a "lack of respect" after the national anthems of France and Honduras were not played before their Group E clash on Sunday. - Laurens: Benzema -- from Belarus to Brazil
- Horncastle: Three points from Porto Alegre
- Johnson: Mature France see off Honduras Stadium officials in Porto Alegre left players and fans bemused when the teams lined up for the pre-match ritual -- only for no music to be heard. French fans inside the stadium sang the Marseillaise for their players, but although Didier Deschamps' team went on to win 3-0, the organisational hitch took the shine off the victory for France and Liverpool defender Sakho. "It's a shame -- it has left a bitter taste in my mouth," he told reporters. "Afterwards, I was told that there had been a power shortage, but I think it's a lack of respect. "If it had been Brazil, as they're at home, they would have found a solution. It is, after all, a source of pride to be able to sing the national anthem. But the fans made up for it by singing it instead. "The anthem is something close to our hearts. Before each game, when you represent your country, you're used to it." Once the match began, controversy erupted over France's second goal, which came about when Karim Benzema's volley rebounded off the post and onto Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares. Valladares tried to claw the ball away from the goalmouth -- but referee Sandro Ricci awarded a goal despite lengthy protests from Suarez's players. A "No Goal" message had declared Benzema's initial effort to have not crossed the line as goalline technology was used in the tournament for the first time. The follow-up effort was correctly awarded as a goal, and Honduras coach Luis Fernando Suarez revealed his frustration at the incident. "I wasn't upset because it was a goal. I was upset because the technology first declared that it wasn't a goal. Then it was a goal," he told reporters on Sunday.
|
