Blanc encourages players to sing La Marseillaise

michel-olivier stop being such a xynophobic racist moron, not every one in a country is white even if you wished they were.

most of the players in the team do not have french virtues nor french moral values to have reason to sing la marseillaise

Michel-Olivier: Unless racism and xenophobia are included in those French “virtues” and “morals” then Im not sure you qualify either!

you really are a neanderthal clown

I'm glad Blanc has addressed this, and he's taking the right approach – not forcing it but suggesting it. I'm no nationalist of any country but I've always felt that if you're going to represent a particular country in any sport you should do it harboring some sentiment towards the country you're representing and be willing to know and sing the national anthem. Germany's Brazilian, Cacau, sings the German anthem loudly, fluently and robustly — better than several of the “authentic” German players. He's played there since he was 18 yrs old (he's 29 now). You don't have to belt it out, at least just mouth the words, ffs! If you have serious political issues with the country, then don't play for it.

La Marseillaise is my all-time favorite national anthem, followed by Germany's and Uruguay's. Really don't are for the Brazilian or USA anthems. That famous moment in Casablanca never fails to get me all choked up and stop everything I'm doing to listen and watch. And I love how the French rugby team belts it out.

Nick – Im not sure why your comments aren't showing up on Disqus. I can see them when I look at the comments on the website. I will speak to the powers that be about this…

For everyone else, Nick had this comment…

michel-olivier stop being such a xynophobic racist moron, not every one in a country is white even if you wished they were.

I think its silly and a massive oversimplification to boil down someone's patriotism to if they choose to sing the national anthem. I never sing the US anthem or say the pledge – why should someone else get to define how my patriotism is measured/evaluated? I'd much rather their performance on the pitch be the benchmark for their pride in France than some silly, ridiculous superficial standard.

The truth is, people prepare for games differently. Some people focus, some people pray, some people sing etc. Until they've broken the law for treason, I dont think anyone has the right to tell someone else how to be a “patriot.”

This is such a silly thing to make a big deal about.

Agreed. I've been out of France for a few years now, but this whole Marseillaise-singing obsession surprises me every time because it is so new. It's the most dangerous kind of fake nostalgia: Go back to old videos of the FNT, and you'll see many players not singing. Or simply look at other national teams.

I hate to speculate on the origins of this, but I can't help but think it has ugly undertones (see the Michel-Olivier comments). There's an idea there that the players are not really French, and their not singing is evidence of that.

Of course, that position, in addition to being bigoted, is wrong. 1. Because most, if not all of them were born in France (and, frankly, it's hard for anyone to have been anything for a longer time that their lives). 2. Because the FNT has ALWAYS been a reflection of the changing “sources” of immigrants. To name only 3 players who were at the top of the game in their time: Kopa (Polish), Platini (Italian), Zidane (Algerian).

I'm really amazed at how brazen racist people are being these days. Even if people say to these people “you are racist”, it doesnt affect them at all. They don't think to themselves, “am i a racist, because people are telling me i am?” anymore. its like they dont care about being labeled one at all. you see the same thing here in the US with the revolt against Obama and the Tea Party. These people are saying really racist things and most Americans are offended by it and will say “wow, thats racist!”, but these people arent ashamed at all, they just keep doing it. You see the same thing here with Michel-Olivier. Im not a psychologist but to me that some kind of anti-social psychological flaw.

thuram, gallas, henry, and all the players of DOM and TOM always sing la marseillaise because they know what it means to be french like the french from metropolitan.
IM NOT A RACIST
it's is not about race, example ozil, podolski and klose play for germany however they do not sing the anthem because they feel turkish/polish culturally(virtues and values)but they love germany. french players of immigrant background will not sing la marseillaise because they feel more connected to their national background but love france so they play for france. look at the algerien team, 98% of the team is french born because they feel algerien.

98% of the team is french born because they feel algerian they play for algeria and they sing the anthem.

I completely agree with Blanc. Playing national football is not like playing for club. You go on the pitch representing your people, not just too become a legend. Id rather have the players who have pride in their nation go out on the pitch then those who play for their own self interest. National games goes beyond the pitch. You play for your nation. By singing your anthem, the team becomes a union with the country. Its an empowering sight that only helps the teams performance and morale. If they do not want to be seen as merely African immigrants then the players ought to sing the anthem. Its such a simple yet profound thing to do.

The only thing about La Marseillaise that ever hurt me was in 2001 when we played Algeria and my anthem was jeered. Other than that, I don't mind if the players/fans sing or don't somg la Marseillaise, as long as they're respectful.

people are never ashamed of what they believe in, ask anyone what they believe and ask them if they feel embarrassed

thanks sara for posting my comment yourself, if this one doesn't show up doesn't matter the thanks is for you.

Sarah, I never said your patriotism should be judged by whether or not you sing the national anthem or say the pledge of allegiance. I said I think you should be willing to sing it if you're going to represent your country in int'l sport on a global stage. Those are 2 different things. I'm not condemning anyone for NOT singing any anthem, if they don't want to sing, fine. That says nothing about their patriotism.

what are “French virtues” and “French moral values,” and which individuals on the team lack them? I am 100% sure you are not talking about Lloris or Gourcuff and that you do not require Lloris or Gourcuff to sing the national anthem to prove their bona fides. You impose a litmus test on certain individuals (including Henry, Gallas and Thuram) based on their race or national origin, and that is something you should think about.

For the record, I'm all in favor of singing la marseillaise b/c there's nothing else like it. allez les bleus!