Leave it to the French to upset you during the holidays

What's that? You thought you had heard the last mention of the 2010 World Cup disaster by France?

Well my friend, in the spirit of the holiday season, here's (hopefully) one final nugget from this fiasco. Apparently, Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka have yet to formally give up their World Cup-related bonuses, the French soccer federation (FFF) said on Tuesday.

French newspaper Liberation reported that the two strikers had refused to sign the paperwork stating that they would give up the bonuses, but the FFF said that was not exactly the case.

"They have not replied but they have not refused," FFF communications director Francois Manardo told Reuters.

Federation president Fernand Duchaussoy said last month that the France players who took part in this year's World Cup would give their bonuses, amounting to some 3 million euros ($3.95 million), to amateur clubs.

After their shock first-round exit in South Africa, the players promised they would give up a share of sponsorship revenue.

France's dismal World Cup campaign also included a players' strike in protest at the decision to kick Anelka out of the squad for insulting then coach Raymond Domenech.
Chelsea striker Anelka was banned for 18 matches by the FFF.

Henry has always been and will always be one of our all-time favorites. This doesn't help his cause but we can forgive him since he seems to be a decent guy. However, even though Anelka is on Chelsea (my favorite EPL team), I have to state that I'm not a fan. Like at all. Yes, he's very talented and fun to watch on a soccer field but the guy just doesn't get it. Never has and never will. He's the rare player that you makes you shudder every time he does something like this, despite the fact that he constantly delivers on the pitch.