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Photo: Reuters
Why has Barthez changed his mind?
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Photo: Reuters
Israel draws with Ireland 1:1
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French goalie changes his mind

Fabien Barthez says he will play in Israel, despite announcing his plans not to travel with teammates last week

France's national soccer team goalie Fabien Barthez has decided to join his teammates and will travel to Israel for a World Cup qualifer match against Israel’s national team, despite announcing his decision last week to boycott the match due to his political view of IDF activity in the West Bank and Gaza.

 

"I'll come to Israel, it's alright, there's no problem. All in all we're supposed to play soccer there," he said in a news conference. "I know we'll be provided with tight security in Israel, I'm a professional and I'm willing to play there."

 

Barthez is currently training with his fellow teammates at the Clairefontaine training camp near Paris, in preparation for next weeks match.

 

France's forward Thierry Henri, who did not play in the match against Switzerland because of an injury, is also set to join the rest of the French squad for the planned match in Israel on Wednesday.

 

A new hero

 

After a disappointing 0:0 draw with Switzerland on Saturday, French captain Patrick Vieria said he was still optimistic about his team's chances of reaching the World Cup.

 

"Luckily, the game between Israel and Ireland ended in a draw," he said. "We're coming to Israel on Wednesday to win."

 

In Israel, residents of the Arab-Israeli town of Sakhnin celebrated in the streets Saturday night after local hero Abbas Suwan scored a dramatic last-minute goal to lift Israel to a 1:1 draw against Ireland.

 

The Irish team led throughout the game after an early goal, but a powerful drive by Suwan in the 90th minute found the left corner, keeping Israel in a good position in its World Cup qualifiers pool.

 

In initial comments after the game, Suwan said it was his first goal for the national team and added he hoped more would follow.

 


פרסום ראשון: 03.27.05, 17:39
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