Barthez Dukes It Out With Nantes Fans, Then Leaves Town

April 29th, 2007 | by: Laurie |

Poor Fabien Barthez. Wasn’t it just four or five months ago that we all (or…well…me, at least) had our fingers crossed for new hope and a fresh start at Nantes? Alas, it seems it’s not to be.

Nantes has four games to go, and they’re still stuck firmly in the cellar of Ligue 1 and facing relegation. Barthez was supposed to be their savior, but after several spectacular bobbles and an inability to save a number of other games… Well, the honeymoon was over. Fabien had even been accused of faking injury to get out of playing.

Things all came to a head this weekend when five Nantes “fans” attacked Barthez’s car as he was leaving the parking lot after Nantes was defeated by Rennes, 2-0.

Roussillon said five drunken fans had blocked Barthez’s car as he was driving out of the Beaujoire stadium. They kicked the car and banged on the windscreen and one fan tried to open the car door, the Nantes president said.
The former world and European champion then got out of his car and started trading punches with one of the fans. Security staff moved in to separate them.
“Fabien is in a state of shock,” Roussillon said. “He has been deeply affected by this assault. This is not acting. He can’t cheat.”

Barthez then packed up his family and left town. (Question: Did anybody else know he had children? How did I miss that?) Local shopkeepers said Barthez stopped by to say good-bye before he left, implying that the separation would be long-term if not permanent. Club President Rudi Roussillon says:

“He has gone to find some comfort with his family. It’s plausible he may not return (for the final matches),” said Roussillon.

“It’s hit him hard, I would even go so far as saying he’s been traumatised.

“He asked us if he could go back to see his family. I hope I can get him to come back, but if he says no then I would understand.”

Poor Fabien. He deserves better than to go out like this.

UPDATE: Here’s the video of the two Rennes goals that happened before he was attacked. Looks like a complete defensive collapse on the part of Nantes. What do you think?

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Rach

Awww, Fabien Barthez .

Although he’s not in good form now he has made some great saves for Les Bleus over the years (see France vs England Euro 2004) and was part of both the 98 world cup and 2000 Euro winning teams. Though I have to confess I’m not sure how he was no 1 choice over Coupet at the most recent World Cup.
http://lyon.theoffside.com/ Inara

On both goals, Barthez was far away from his line. It’s a tactic that works sometimes, fails horribly on others.

It’s unfair to blame Nantes’s collapse on him, though I think he came to the club more as a way to get glory as the guy who saved Nantes than to really help them out.

Nantes has been having internal problems for a long time, and relegation was bound to happen. Barthez should have done a background checking before signing a contact.

And speaking of contacts, how can Barthez just unilaterally decide that he no longer wants to play? Didn’t he sign an agreement for six months?
sandrahn

Rach, blame that on Zidane and Domenech’s tense relationship with Coupet. Zidane still calls Barthez the world’s best goalkeeper. He’s just blind when it comes to Barthez, he loves the guy, understandably. I think Barthez was a superb keeper but he’s just been a pale shadow in the last couple of years.
Rach

Really? Wow. I always thought the whole thing about senior players influencing team selection for the 2006 World Cup were just rumours. I thought that choosing Barthez over Coupet was Domenech’s idea considering he’s, uh, you know, the manager.:P
http://lyon.theoffside.com/ Inara

Barthez says he still wants to play on for a couple more years, even in Ligue 1.

Good to see he’s feeling better.
http://lyon.theoffside.com/ Inara

Oops, forgot to post the link.