United ace offers a bizarre defence for French implosion

Patrice Evra has tried to offer an explanation for the French World Cup fiasco while at the same time hitting out at Lillian Thuram.

The Manchester United ace, who was France's captain in South Africa, has blamed Raymond Domenech for not responding to the will of the players, and World Cup winner Thuram for dragging his name through the mud.

He said: "He(Thuram) sullied my name without knowing what happened.

"What we did was serious, but why pour oil on the fire?

"It is not serious enough to walk with books on slavery, glasses and a hat to become Malcolm X."

Evra then expanded further on the falling out with Domenech that eventually resulted in the whole squad boycotting training.

"Before the warm-up match against Costa Rica, some players have asked him for more involvement, and to give us more technical instructions, but he felt attacked and refused the exchange.

"I received complaints from players after each session. They resented his lack of tactical work which they are used to with their clubs.

"I tried to convey that message, but there was no result and the group were gradually dropped."