French midfielder Samir Nasri exited Euro 2012 with a foul-mouthed tirade aimed at a journalist.
Nasri, who has courted controversy throughout the tournament, was among the first of the French players to enter the post-match interview area after his side lost 2-0 to Spain.
The 24-year-old initially walked off hastily in the direction of the team bus and refused to answer any questions from journalists who were seeking his reaction to the defeat.
But he soon returned, apparently having forgotten one of his personal belongings, when the confrontation occurred.
When pressed for an answer by a reporter working for a French news agency, Nasri responded with an astonishing foul-mouthed outburst which culminated in him offering the journalist in question outside for a fight.
An extraordinary flurry of insults ladened with four-letter words kicked off his rant, in which he claimed the press always wrote ‘c**p stories’ about his team.
Then the former Arsenal man shouted: “Now you can say that I’ve been badly brought up! Come over there and let’s fix this.”
The Manchester City midfielder had been dropped to the substitutes’ bench by France coach Laurent Blanc for his part in the row that broke out following the defeat against Sweden in Kiev on Monday, which meant Les Bleus surrendered the opportunity to top Group D.
The former Arsenal player has been involved in a long-running dispute with his national press that had already boiled over during France’s first game of the tournament against England.
After sports newspaper L’Equipe had criticised his recent performances, Nasri responded with a controversial celebration, putting his finger to his lips and pointing at the reporter who had written the article, saying ‘shut your mouth’ after he had scored the equalising goal against Roy Hodgson’s side.
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SoccerNews
Soccernews.com is news blog for soccer with comprehensive coverage of all the major leagues in Europe, as well as MLS in the United States. In addition we offer breaking news for transfers and transfer rumors, ticket sales, betting tips and offers, match previews, and in-depth editorials.
You can follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/soccernews.com or Twitter: @soccernewsfeed.