Country or Self - Which Ranks Higher?

"I told them they could no longer be heroes for our children. They have destroyed the dreams of their countrymen, their friends and supporters – Roselyn Bachelot, French Sports Minister."

The French football team have provided us with unprecedented World Cup entertainment since the day they qualified, but reports of dissension in the camp have been of particular interest as they bring into question the national pride of the French players.

Anelka was reportedly sent back to France after insulting coach Raymond Domanech in the locker room after their loss to Mexico. This was followed by reports that the French team boycotted training the following day and that France team director Jean-Louis Valentin resigned.

Reports. Reports. Reports. Any athlete worth their salt will tell you that what happens in the locker room – stays in the locker room. End of.

As the exchange between Anelka and Domanech appears to be a leak anyway, the scandal is already overhyped. But let’s just say that for arguments sake the French team are justified in their actions – at what stage is it ok for a player to put himself before his country.

I’m guessing that had Adebayor known the impact of the decision to travel via bus instead of plane during the African Cup of Nations, he would have opted to travel by plane. My question is, had he done this, would he have been described as being disloyal to his country?

Unfortunately, we will never know. Even more unfortunately, three people paid for this decision with their lives.

Admittedly, this is an extreme example, but it does bring into question whether or not a player should sacrifice personal pride for national pride.

In my opinion, this particular argument on national pride extends beyond the players to the person that leaked details of the altercation, the French media’s reports of the mutiny, the French Football federation’s handling of the scandal and Domenech’s inability to effectively manage his squad.