Federation to investigate French players' strike

[July 16, 2010]  PARIS (AP) -- French football federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes has launched an investigation into the national team players' strike at the World Cup.

Escalettes said Friday that investigators will be allowed to question players, staff members and federation officials who were in South Africa when the players decided to boycott a training session.

The strike was intended to protest Nicolas Anelka's exclusion from the squad following an expletive-filled tirade directed at France coach Raymond Domenech during halftime of a 2-0 loss to Mexico.

The commission should deliver its conclusions to the federation by Aug. 15.

Escalettes announced last month he will step down following the World Cup fiasco, when France failed to advance past the group stage. His successor will be elected next week.

[Associated Press]

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