FFF boss lambasts Nasri over row with journalist

-The guardian

FRENCH Football Federation (FFF) President, Noel le Graet, has labelled Samir Nasri’s behaviour “intolerable” after the midfielder’s alleged foul-mouthed rant at a journalist following Les Bleus’ Euro 2012 exit.The Manchester City man was reportedly involved in a heated exchange with a member of the press, who asked to speak with him after Laurent Blanc’s side was beaten 0-2 by defending champion, Spain, in the quarter-final in Donetsk.Le Graet condemned Nasri’s actions and warned the player that he must assert more self-control in future. He told French radio station, RMC: “I will ask the journalist to meet with me, but this is intolerable.

“I understand that there are negative reactions. Samir is on the edge, he wants to do well, but he cannot control his impulses.”Les Bleus’ elimination will no doubt increase speculation over the future of coach Blanc, who has overseen an upturn in fortunes since replacing Raymond Domenech following the farcical World Cup campaign two years ago.Blanc, who has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Tottenham, had wanted his France contract extended before the European Championship. Le Graet has no news yet on whether Blanc will remain in the role, but expects to hold talks soon with the 46-year old former defender at Manchester United.

“I saw Laurent last night,” the FFF chief added. “We promised not to talk about this during the Euros. We will meet soon to discuss the future. We must give it a week to take stock at leisure. We will meet within eight days and we will have a position, I imagine, in common.“As a man, Laurent is completely respectable and pleasant. We must talk about football, his desire and his career. We must see how he sees things and how I see them.” Assessing France’s overall Euro 2012 campaign, Le Graet took heart from the Group D victory over Ukraine - Les Bleus‘ first in the finals of a major tournament in six years - but accepted that they had some way to go yet before they would be considered a force again.