Arabs Against Discrimination[Barthez declares: I don't want to go to Israel]

Barthez declares: I don't want to go to Israel

Source: www.ynet.co.il , March 24, 2005

By: Site editors

As if Raymond Dominique, the coach of the French national soccer team, does not already have enough problems, Fabian Barthez has now created yet another one for him. In a press conference, the goalkeeper of the French national team announced that he does not intend to play in the game between France and Israel next Wednesday, due to be held in the Ramat Gan Stadium.

Barthez justified his sudden decision saying, “When I see all the suffering in the world around me, I don't understand why they want to play in Israel ,” referring to Israel 's policy in the territories. He added, “I don't like it at all. And I'm now speaking as a father, not as a player.”

Barthez's statement is highly unusual because it is not concerned with the security situation inside Israel , which has greatly improved since the appointment of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Rather, Barthez's criticisms are political criticisms directed specifically against Israeli control of the territories.

The goalkeeper added that he does not intend to play in the friendly game scheduled for June in China . He added that he intends to retire at the end of 2006. “I'm now 35 years old, and this is enough,” he said. “It's true that this isn't a final decision, but it's where I'm currently heading.”

Barthez refused to reply to a question from the sports channel, and when the channel's correspondent presented himself as an Israeli journalist, the French goalie left the place.

If Barthez really does not come to Israel , Dominique will have to start the game with the reserve goalie, Lyon 's Gregory Coupet.

Reader responses to the article

He's right! It's normal. He's just another racist Frenchman, so we shouldn't get carried away or make a commotion out of it. If you want to come, then come, and if you don't, then don't. And anyway, you won't find any warmth or love here. Nevertheless, there is one small thing that deserves to be said on his behalf: He has an ideology and stands behind his principles, and that is beautiful—Yellow creature.

You coward, why don't you just announce that you've become a Muslim? In a while, you'll have a Muslim majority and then you'll know what that means. He is definitely scared of [Yaniv] Katan [an Israeli soccer player]. The last time he played against him, Katan passed the ball between his legs—Scared of Yaniv Katan.

He's just an anti-Semitic fool. Ignorance, hypocrisy, and anti-Semitism—each on its own, or in combination—can cause this sort of deviation, in which Israel seems to be one of the worst nations in the world. The common link among them all is a short-term memory and limited knowledge. This is especially true of Europeans—Simply Israeli.

The French are racist. After they've won the support of every terrorist in the world, they still have the nerve to speak. They are a disgusting people. They should definitely not come here because they supported the Nazis, and today they support Hizbollah and the Iranians. They're leaders are anti-Semitic. The French are disgusting—Amir, Haifa .

His mother must be Palestinian

He is definitely Palestinian and scared of being arrested as an illegal resident. It's too bad, because we had a big chance of scoring with him here because he's a lousy goalie. Stay in France you petty moron, and I'll never visit France in my life!—Eyal.

To all deceitful Arabs! Not because I'm justifying the occupation, but enough with your displays of righteousness. Why don't we hear your voices against the rulers of Arab states that have oppressed their citizens for years? And why don't we hear your screams against the offensive, monstrous treatment of women in Arab countries? And the list goes on! To Barthez: I'd like to say that the French have caused a lot of suffering throughout their history, and still cause suffering in the Ivory Coast . We won't even touch upon the rampant racism among your people. Before you criticize others, fix your own country and people first!—Citizen of the republic.