The French Football Federation was today trying to play down reports of a bust-up between the players and the coach, Raymond Domenech, ahead of Wednesday's crucial World Cup qualifier in Serbia. Les Bleus' hopes of automatic qualification for South Africa 2010 could rest on the outcome in Belgrade with France knowing defeat will mean finishing top in Group Seven is no longer a possibility.
Domenech's side have been the architects of their own downfall with another sub-standard display resulting in a 1-1 draw against Romania at the Stade de France on Saturday. The spirit in the camp has not been helped by revelations this morning of a pre-match row involving Domenech and his players, led by Thierry Henry.
Le Parisien reported Domenech tried to spark a reaction from his players before the Romania game by questioning their hunger. Henry is believed to have responded on behalf of the squad by stating the players were uninspired by training sessions before adding: "I have been in the France team for 12 years and never have I been in this situation. We do not know how to play, where to go, there is no organisation. There is no style, no guidance and no identity."
The French Football Federation (FFF) insists there is "no urgency" to speak about the matter but the incident is sure to create further questions about Domenech's position, which could become untenable anyway should the team not qualify.
Despite the French camp seemingly in disarray, Serbia's defender Nemanja Vidic claims the visitors are still favourites to claim all three points. The Manchester United centre-half told L'Equipe that being four points ahead of France "does not change anything".
"We will play against a very good team," he said. "But the French are under pressure to get a result. After this game we still have to play Romania. Nothing is settled in this group."
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Stay-at-home locals save French tourism
Tourism in France, the world's top holiday destination, held up over the summer months because a rise in domestic French holidaymakers offseting a sharp drop in foreign visitors.
French hotels saw visitor numbers rise 1 percent in July and August, breaking down into a 3.6 percent increase in July and a 1.2 percent fall in August, Herve Novelli, state secretary for tourism, said in a statement.
Tourism accounts for around 6 percent of France's gross domestic product and the government had forecast a marked decline for 2009 because of the economic crisis, extending last year's 3 percent drop.
Foreign visitor numbers did indeed dive in France over the summer, with a 14.5 percent fall in July-August underlining the tourism downturn that has hit cities, beaches and mountain resorts all over Europe.
Compensating for this, hotels, holiday homes and campsites recorded a 6.3 percent rise in the number of French customers.
"In terms of types of accommodation, we have noticed that French customers tend to stay in more moderately priced accommodation," the statement said.
French hotels saw visitor numbers rise 1 percent in July and August, breaking down into a 3.6 percent increase in July and a 1.2 percent fall in August, Herve Novelli, state secretary for tourism, said in a statement.
Tourism accounts for around 6 percent of France's gross domestic product and the government had forecast a marked decline for 2009 because of the economic crisis, extending last year's 3 percent drop.
Foreign visitor numbers did indeed dive in France over the summer, with a 14.5 percent fall in July-August underlining the tourism downturn that has hit cities, beaches and mountain resorts all over Europe.
Compensating for this, hotels, holiday homes and campsites recorded a 6.3 percent rise in the number of French customers.
"In terms of types of accommodation, we have noticed that French customers tend to stay in more moderately priced accommodation," the statement said.
Monday, 24 August 2009
Want cheaper train tickets in Europe? Learn a little French
One of the best things about Paris is that train travel, both within France and across borders, is relatively cheap…at least if you can speak (or fake) a little French. Searching for tickets in English will yield prices that are significanlty more expensive.
The SNCF travel website is where all the best train deals can be found. If you scroll down to the bottom of the homepage, you'll see a sign for English that will transfer you to the website for "TGV Europe/Rail Europe." This anglophone portal is handy, but you'll pay more for tickets here. Searching this site today for an October fare from Paris to Marseilles, the cheapest round-trip ticket was $158. With an obligatory $13 charge for an e-ticket (which was cheaper than the $18 or $36 shipping options), the total price of the round-trip ticket was $171. Back at the SNCF website, written in French, the cheapest fare was €75 with no additional fees or charges. Converted to dollars, that round-trip ticket was $107—a savings of almost 40 percent!
If you don't speak French and can't find a francophone friend to help you, consider muddling through the SNCF site with the help of Google Translate or Yahoo's Babel Fish. Just paste the address of whatever SNCF page you're looking at into the tranlsation box, and the program will translate every word from French to English. This will require a bit more time and patience than using the English portal, sure, but the savings will be significant.
The SNCF travel website is where all the best train deals can be found. If you scroll down to the bottom of the homepage, you'll see a sign for English that will transfer you to the website for "TGV Europe/Rail Europe." This anglophone portal is handy, but you'll pay more for tickets here. Searching this site today for an October fare from Paris to Marseilles, the cheapest round-trip ticket was $158. With an obligatory $13 charge for an e-ticket (which was cheaper than the $18 or $36 shipping options), the total price of the round-trip ticket was $171. Back at the SNCF website, written in French, the cheapest fare was €75 with no additional fees or charges. Converted to dollars, that round-trip ticket was $107—a savings of almost 40 percent!
If you don't speak French and can't find a francophone friend to help you, consider muddling through the SNCF site with the help of Google Translate or Yahoo's Babel Fish. Just paste the address of whatever SNCF page you're looking at into the tranlsation box, and the program will translate every word from French to English. This will require a bit more time and patience than using the English portal, sure, but the savings will be significant.
Monday, 10 August 2009
Green algae – a toxic problem for French beaches
The growing problem of green algae on several beaches in northern France has reached crisis point after a horse died and its rider lost consciousness within seconds of falling into the decomposing seaweed.
French locals in the Brittany village of Saint-Michel-en-Greve say enough is enough and are calling for something to be done.
One woman warned: “If the algae is left to rot and a child falls in it, I don’t know what we will do.”
Up to 70 French beaches are said to be affected by the spread of the seaweed which is known locally as “green lettuce”.
When the plant decomposes, it forms an impermeable white crust under which toxic hydrogen sulphide accumulates. Some scientists believe it is what wiped out the dinosaurs.
The modern-day problem is being blamed on intensive farming practices and the widespread use of phosphates.
The build-up of the algae is affecting the local tourist trade with beaches periodically having to be closed. The warning is: if you smell something like rotten eggs – don’t go there!
French locals in the Brittany village of Saint-Michel-en-Greve say enough is enough and are calling for something to be done.
One woman warned: “If the algae is left to rot and a child falls in it, I don’t know what we will do.”
Up to 70 French beaches are said to be affected by the spread of the seaweed which is known locally as “green lettuce”.
When the plant decomposes, it forms an impermeable white crust under which toxic hydrogen sulphide accumulates. Some scientists believe it is what wiped out the dinosaurs.
The modern-day problem is being blamed on intensive farming practices and the widespread use of phosphates.
The build-up of the algae is affecting the local tourist trade with beaches periodically having to be closed. The warning is: if you smell something like rotten eggs – don’t go there!
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
French farmers refuse to repay €330m in state grants
French farmers have rejected a demand to repay hundreds of millions of euros in state subsidies that have been ruled illegal by the European Commission.
François Lafitte, leader of Fédécom, the fruit and vegetable producers' union, said paying back the €330m given to farmers between 1992 and 2002 would bankrupt them.
"Nobody will pay these subsidies," he said. "Firstly, because the amounts put forward by Brussels don't add up. Secondly, because it would spell ruin for the industry."
Mr Lafitte said the subsidies had helped fruit and vegetable producers "face up to competition" from Spain and Portugal.
Between 1992 and 2002, the French state agricultural agency awarded over €330m in grants to help farmers struggling from a crisis of oversupply of French products in the European market. The money was meant to help farmers lower their prices and find temporary storage for surplus harvest.
In January, the Commission ruled that the subsidies were unlawful and likely to distort competition in the European market. France was ordered to reclaim the original subsidies plus interest.
Mr Le Maire's predecessor, Michel Barnier, launched an appeal at the European court of justice in April to reduce the amount claimed by Brussels. While the exact figure has yet to be agreed, the new agricultural minister believes the process of reimbursement should begin regardless, warning that if the appeal were lost, France would have to pay even more than the €330m plus interest of €100m-€150m that has so far been invoiced.
The calls for repayment come at a difficult time for French farmers, with prices for fruit and vegetables 30-40 per cent lower than the weekly average of the past five years, according to Modef, the farmers' union.
This is not the first time France has been rapped by Brussels for illegal subsidies. In 2002, the European court ruled that France had given illegal financial aid to cognac producers. France admitted the subsidies had been against European law but remains mired in a battle with the cognac producers to reclaim the funds. In both cases, if the subsidies are not paid back, Brussels can order France to pay a fine and daily penalties
François Lafitte, leader of Fédécom, the fruit and vegetable producers' union, said paying back the €330m given to farmers between 1992 and 2002 would bankrupt them.
"Nobody will pay these subsidies," he said. "Firstly, because the amounts put forward by Brussels don't add up. Secondly, because it would spell ruin for the industry."
Mr Lafitte said the subsidies had helped fruit and vegetable producers "face up to competition" from Spain and Portugal.
Between 1992 and 2002, the French state agricultural agency awarded over €330m in grants to help farmers struggling from a crisis of oversupply of French products in the European market. The money was meant to help farmers lower their prices and find temporary storage for surplus harvest.
In January, the Commission ruled that the subsidies were unlawful and likely to distort competition in the European market. France was ordered to reclaim the original subsidies plus interest.
Mr Le Maire's predecessor, Michel Barnier, launched an appeal at the European court of justice in April to reduce the amount claimed by Brussels. While the exact figure has yet to be agreed, the new agricultural minister believes the process of reimbursement should begin regardless, warning that if the appeal were lost, France would have to pay even more than the €330m plus interest of €100m-€150m that has so far been invoiced.
The calls for repayment come at a difficult time for French farmers, with prices for fruit and vegetables 30-40 per cent lower than the weekly average of the past five years, according to Modef, the farmers' union.
This is not the first time France has been rapped by Brussels for illegal subsidies. In 2002, the European court ruled that France had given illegal financial aid to cognac producers. France admitted the subsidies had been against European law but remains mired in a battle with the cognac producers to reclaim the funds. In both cases, if the subsidies are not paid back, Brussels can order France to pay a fine and daily penalties
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Debate starting on new French Internet piracy bill
Lawmakers in France’s lower house of parliament are to start debate Tuesday on a new version of a bill aimed at cracking down on French online piracy by cutting the Internet connections of those who illegally download movies and music.
An earlier version of the bill was found to be unconstitutional. Legislators in the National Assembly are to debate the amended bill through Friday, but decided not to take a vote on it until they return from summer recess in September.
The piracy legislation, which has been working its way through parliament for months, has drawn attention from entertainers and Internet privacy advocates beyond France’s borders.
The music and film industry has applauded the measure, sponsored by President Nicolas Sarkozy’s conservative UMP party. But critics contend it represents a threat to civil liberties and could open the way for invasive government monitoring.
The bill calls for graduated reprisals against alleged offenders. If suspected pirates fail to heed e-mail warnings and a certified letter, their home Internet connections could be cut for a period of one month to one year, and they could face fines or even jail time.
The earlier version of the bill would have allowed a new government agency to cut off Internet connections, however the French Constitutional Council ruled that was unconstitutional.
The new version of the bill would leave it to a judge to decide whether to cut repeat offenders’ connections. Those found guilty could appeal the decision.
Still, the opposition Socialists have threatened to refer the bill to the Constitutional Council again. They have also loaded the bill with more than 700 amendments, in an attempt to slow down the parliamentary debate.
If it passes a vote in the lower house, the National Assembly, the legislation will need to be examined by a committee of lawmakers from the upper and lower houses of Parliament and submitted to a new vote in both houses before it becomes law.
Even as the French lawmakers struggle over the legislation, crafty Internet pirates are already hatching strategies to get around it.
An earlier version of the bill was found to be unconstitutional. Legislators in the National Assembly are to debate the amended bill through Friday, but decided not to take a vote on it until they return from summer recess in September.
The piracy legislation, which has been working its way through parliament for months, has drawn attention from entertainers and Internet privacy advocates beyond France’s borders.
The music and film industry has applauded the measure, sponsored by President Nicolas Sarkozy’s conservative UMP party. But critics contend it represents a threat to civil liberties and could open the way for invasive government monitoring.
The bill calls for graduated reprisals against alleged offenders. If suspected pirates fail to heed e-mail warnings and a certified letter, their home Internet connections could be cut for a period of one month to one year, and they could face fines or even jail time.
The earlier version of the bill would have allowed a new government agency to cut off Internet connections, however the French Constitutional Council ruled that was unconstitutional.
The new version of the bill would leave it to a judge to decide whether to cut repeat offenders’ connections. Those found guilty could appeal the decision.
Still, the opposition Socialists have threatened to refer the bill to the Constitutional Council again. They have also loaded the bill with more than 700 amendments, in an attempt to slow down the parliamentary debate.
If it passes a vote in the lower house, the National Assembly, the legislation will need to be examined by a committee of lawmakers from the upper and lower houses of Parliament and submitted to a new vote in both houses before it becomes law.
Even as the French lawmakers struggle over the legislation, crafty Internet pirates are already hatching strategies to get around it.
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Verbier awaits the Tour de France
It arrives on Sunday and preparations are in full swing for the biggest sporting event the Swiss resort has ever seen.
It is impossible not to know Le Tour is coming.
Posters are plastered all over town, the road up the mountain has been re-surfaced in places, the valley is adorned with advertising hoardings and even the flower beds have been re-arranged to welcome the cyclists and the huge entourage that escorts them.
The town is a buzz with excitement and pretty much all the accommodation is full. Many shops, bars and restaurants that are usually closed at this time of year have opened for business.
Even the resort’s most famous night-club, The Farm, will be open, it’s thought to be the first time it has ever opened in the summer.
“Everybody in Verbier is really excited with the arrival of the Tour de France. There will be a big party where everybody is going to celebrate the champions of this very thorough race, which is at the same time a big show,” says Pierre-Yves Deleze who is deputy director of Tourism and on the organising committee.
“I hope the weather will play the game, so that magnificent pictures of Verbier can be broadcasted all over the world. For me, as for the whole organising committee, this will be the culmination of one year of very hard work. We hope the result will match our expectations!”
It’s estimated around 150,000 people will line the route along the valley floor from Martigny to Le Chable, before the riders tackle the 8.5km up to the resort.
It is impossible not to know Le Tour is coming.
Posters are plastered all over town, the road up the mountain has been re-surfaced in places, the valley is adorned with advertising hoardings and even the flower beds have been re-arranged to welcome the cyclists and the huge entourage that escorts them.
The town is a buzz with excitement and pretty much all the accommodation is full. Many shops, bars and restaurants that are usually closed at this time of year have opened for business.
Even the resort’s most famous night-club, The Farm, will be open, it’s thought to be the first time it has ever opened in the summer.
“Everybody in Verbier is really excited with the arrival of the Tour de France. There will be a big party where everybody is going to celebrate the champions of this very thorough race, which is at the same time a big show,” says Pierre-Yves Deleze who is deputy director of Tourism and on the organising committee.
“I hope the weather will play the game, so that magnificent pictures of Verbier can be broadcasted all over the world. For me, as for the whole organising committee, this will be the culmination of one year of very hard work. We hope the result will match our expectations!”
It’s estimated around 150,000 people will line the route along the valley floor from Martigny to Le Chable, before the riders tackle the 8.5km up to the resort.
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