David Ngog to Choose Cameroon over France?

I was unaware that he was French, I would love to see him in blue. However, there are so many new players similar to him on the team. He would probably play more for cameroon.

Same for Algeria. Now that they are in the World Cup, I have a feeling it will be tempting for great young French players like Yacine Brahimi, Sofiane Feghouli, Ishak Belfodil, and Abdelhakim Omrani to go and play for Algeria because they have a better chance at playing in the World Cup, despite being so young. In France, it is practically impossible to get into the national team at that age.

he should pick came

Hell yeah I would pick Cameroon too!!! France sucks hairy balls!!!

Welcome Sarah to the French blog, the page with this website’s most hated country. Good to see someone willing to write about France positively (esp. an American).

But I have to challenge you strongly about your phrase “as with a lot of French players” being accused of cheating lately… excuse me, but TWO players in the last couple of months does not constitute “a lot.” Exactly which others are you talking about?

There’s nothing uniquely evil or “cheating” about French players as compared to any other nationality in the sport. So I’d ask you to refrain from reinforcing stereotypes that simply are not true.

The reason that the Ngog dive was covered hysterically all over the news is that the English media dominates football coverage in the English-speaking world (it’s where most American followers of the sport get their news and punditry) — and the English media are notoriously selective in their moral outrage about diving and other misconduct on the pitch. I can assure you that if it had been Gerrard or Carragher who committed that dive, no one would be talking about it because the UK media just ignores cheating by British players consistently.

It’s like the Eduardo and Henry incidents — if they hadn’t been playing against one of the home nations and if they’d been nice British lads, there would’ve been absolutely NO uprorar.

As for Ngog, can’t really blame him for choosing Cameroon — why would he want to play for Domenech?

AARGH! I CAN’T STAND IT WHEN UPSTART POSEURS SAY ‘LES BLUES’ ITS ‘LES BLEUS’!!!

Fred Kanoute is one who got away that I regret. Doms went through a period where he was giving a bunch of players caps – those France B matches, for example, I think, but Kanoute never got a cap and switched to Mali, if I’ve got my story straight.

A bit after that, he had a great spell with Sevilla. I saw a couple of his matches with them, and at the time, I thought he easily looked good enough to start for France.

On the other hand, if the French management feels confident that a player won’t figure in the national setup, I wouldn’t want them to ruin a player’s chances of playing for his parents’ country.

Jeff … or Drogba, who I think grew up in France.

Be a Lion boy, Cameroon may go all the way in 2010. If any African side can, they can.

For more on African football, visit http://www.africaplays.com

“As with a lot of French players recently, he has been labeled a cheat for a really blatant dive against Birmingham in the league a few weeks ago”
Please explain and name the “LOT OF FRENCH PLAYERS RECENTLY”.
How about the Rooney dive against Arsenal at Old Trafford that’s not cheating?

http://www.videoplayer.hu/videos/play/411707
look at 4:08 min and see how he was not touched at all and simulated a dive.
But nobody but the French cheat, we all know that!

i think non dual nationalities players like monnet-paquet, remy, gameiro, tremoulinas, menez, obertan… should be call instead of dual players like ngog, ekoko, cissokho, mvila, ngoyi, sissoko…

Wow, what a welcome– I’m a little shocked by some of the responses– as this post was generally suppose to be positive about a talented young French player. In my first post alone I’ve been accused of stereotyping, being an “upstart poseur,” and called out for my horrible French spelling. Tough audience.

First, the focus of this post was suppose to be on Ngog’s talent, ability to overcome some tough odds and his choice of which national football federation to join. I’m not sure how it got hijacked into some contrived, completely unproductive diving debate.

Several of you asked about the other French players I was referring to in my post that have been accused of cheating lately. In addition to Ngog and Henry, both Pires and Valbuena have been the discussed in the press recently as being habitual “divers.” Though since neither of these players play in the English league, it hasn’t been discussed in the English press as much. Again, I’m not saying I agree with these labels– but, I’m not just going to pretend they don’t exist either.

@sandrahn: I think you interpreted this in the most negative way possible. I don’t think that French players are intrinsically cheaters or that my post legitimized negative stereotypes. And I don’t think that is what I said in my post at all. I was simply stating the obvious– that there has been a lot of focus in the press on the fair play (or lack thereof) of French players. I didn’t say that I agreed or condoned this label. I don’t think that acknowledging that these types of things are being said is reinforcing any stereotype. If I offended you, then I apologize because that certainly wasn’t what I was trying to say. I was actually trying to build a more strategic argument that acknowledged Ngog made a mistake (even he has said it was a mistake) but he is strong enough to overcome it, despite the harsh criticism.

You also made some comments regarding the amount of press about the incident. I absolutely agree that it was blown out of proportion and the English press hides its xenophobia under the guise of “fair play” by only focusing on foreign players diving. Personally, I think that the whole anti-diving agenda has become a witch hunt. The whole debate is completely unproductive because every team probably goes to the ground unnecessarily at some point– to get an advantage or to protect themselves. I didn’t go into this in my post, because frankly, this wasn’t the point of my post.

I do, however, find it ironic that in a comment where you ask me to refrain from “reinforcing stereotypes,” you also imply a negative stereotype about Americans.

@Remy: I’m not exactly sure why you are calling me an “upstart poseur.” While I may have questionable spelling skills, I can at least find comfort in the fact that I’m not as pathetic as to write unwarranted, insulting comments using an obviously fake alias. Really, you are just insulting one of the great French hopes for the future by using that language under Remy’s name. Also, I’ve edited your comment. Personal insults are unacceptable in both English and French.

@Jean Francois: I would love to see him play for France. I agree that some of the French players have a similar style to him– but I think he has done something the past few weeks that most of the French National team hasn’t done. He has played well under pressure.

@Jao: It is difficult, but not impossible to get into the French A team at a young age. Benzema, Nasri and Ben Arfa were all given their caps at a young age. It would be a loss for France if younger players being to choose to play for Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco etc– but its an understandable decision for the players to make.

@Jeff: I completely agree with you. It would be tragic if a player only received one cap from France which prevented him from being able have a better international career elsewhere. It is a loss to the player and to the fans who wouldn’t be able to see him play.

Okay, I’ve had to delete some offensive posts. Just a quick reminder to everyone that this blog is NOT the appropriate place to discuss what constitutes French national identity. It is pointless– and until the FFF, FIFA or the French government changes its immigration policies these players are able to play for both France and/or their parent’s country so I suggest you just get use to it. You can make comments on players who should or should not be picked for the French team– but comments that make this argument based on race will be deleted. You’ve been warned.

Please, let’s focus on more practical matters and finally move on from this asinine debate.

thank you for taking the time to write this informative post. i look forward to more.

and while i’m a french NT supporter, the cameroons have been a sentimental favorite of mine since their stylish WC debut in 82. would love to see them play france in the 2010 final. i would be forced to cheer for the first african world cup winner.

Sarah, thanks for you excellent replies. Apologies if I sounded too harsh and misunderstood your intent. I was sincere in welcoming you as a new France blogger. As for my stereotypes re Americans…well, after the last 8-9 years of such intense public (and very proud) francophobia in the US, it’s not too unreasonable to to be delightfully surprised that an American openly admits to supporting/liking France (in football or elsewhere), esp. after the recent hysteria over Henry and Ireland. This section of this website regularly receives ugly, racist, hateful posts that I don’t believe is equalled anywhere else on this site (yes, including Italy). So some of us here have developed oversensitivity — that explains my response to your blog. Again, sincere apologies.

But I do concede your basic point re stereotyping Americans re their attitudes toward France.

You pointed out recent PR in the Spanish press re Pires and Valbuena, I stand corrected. I actually had read a couple of brief items on Pires (I do read the Spanish, French and Italian football press when I can), and had just forgotten it. Hadn’t read anything about Valbuena, tho (I like both players, esp. Pires of course — I’m a gooner and Bobby will always be one of my all time favorite players in the sport).

Anyway, welcome again, I hope we haven’t turned you off the blog. Also, thanks for deleting the predictable racist idiocies that often plague this blog.

Have to agree with whoever brought up Kanoute — a great loss for France. Drogba too of course.

Sarah,
Welcome here!
Thank you for your article which was welcome relief after the darkness we have lived. No need to apologize! Anything you will post will provoke a reaction and I’m sure Laurie and Jeff told you that.
Personally, as a Frenchman who lived in the US more than 15 years, I am totally amazed that somebody outside our little country would have interest for us, even support our team. Stumbling into this blog and getting to know the regulars made me think about what this team means abroad. Bless you all for supporting this team! We never were Brazil and never will be, never pretended to be. I could tell you the French side of football, which is the point of view of spoiled brats who suddenly, having won the World Cup in 98, can tolerate no less than a repeat, and in style!
That’s why, as a Frenchman who has acess to French press, I stay in touch with this blog, because it brings a much fresher point of view. Thanks for your ideas.
You’ll get used to the regulars here, so many have genuine love and support for the team (of course there are also occasional “guest snipers”). Some really bring good info here which I never heard from in France. Again, welcome!
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Aimé Jacquet is now pronouncing for Domenech’s withdrawal, citing the fact that 4 years at the helm are far far too much exhausting for a person. He was a defender of Domenech’s in the past. Tipping point or just another 2 cents?

Yeah, Jacquet has said Domenech should have stepped down right after Euro 2008.

Doumé: On the topic of Les Bleus appeal to foreigners…well, I’m a die hard Les Bleus fan, I wouldn’t even think about sympathizing with anyone else, but I’ve lived in the U.S. for my entire life and am of Swedish and Irish descent, no French in me. I honestly don’t think where you’re from matters all that much.

sandrahn

Apology accepted…. Sometimes passion overtakes reason

regards

NGog has always been a player with lots of “potential” but has never lived up to it. He has always been a starter for the French Espoirs, however that just means he is not good enough to get on the A Side. I do not think that his switching national teams will be a huge loss. Just like when Kanoute decided to play for Mali (he was on the expand list for the Euro 2004 under Santini but was left off at the last cut which is when he switched national side). Clearly Domenech is aware when a player has dual nationality and is sitting on the fence between two nations – Sissoko (Mali – France) Ben Afra (Tunisia – France) – and is willing to call them up to tie them to France…if they are worth it which Sissoko definitely is and Ben Afra was…this is not new in international football. Even the great Puskas played for two nations – http://thebeantownfrog.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-nationality-are-you-or-more.html

@GFC: The guy is barely 20 and he has been living up to his potential this season at Liverpool. He has been able to produce even in high pressure situations (against Man Utd and Debrecen), and I don’t think he should be punished for not being able to produce game winning performances at an 18 year old at PSG. There is no question (in my head, at least) that he could help France in a few years. The only question for me is if he would be better off with Cameroon.

A belated welcome!