Goal.com

Jun 24, 2012 12:00:00 PM

The Manchester City man has been shamed in France following an explosive foul-mouthed outburst at journalists after les Bleus lost 2-0 to Spain in their quarter-final clash

Julien Laurens  Euro 2012 Columnist Follow on

Samir Nasri left Euro 2012 on Saturday with the ultimate faux pas. France's 2-0 loss to Spain had ended a little over half-an-hour before the Manchester City midfielder insulted a French journalist who asked him for his thoughts in the mixed zone.

It could be argued that Nasri was provoked since the reporter sent an equally unhelpful "P**s off" in his direction. But the player's vicious response was shameful and completely out of line.

"Go f**k yourself", "Son of a b***h" and "I f**ked your mother" were the most notable words to come from his mouth. He also suggested that he and the journalist go outside to settle their differences with a fist fight. Out of curiosity, I'd like to see who would have won.

But this new incident involving Nasri is another problem for the player who has often made headlines off the pitch. During Euro 2012, the former Marseille man has been more noted for his behaviour and his disrespectul attitude than by his performances on the pitch.

Sure, he scored an important goal against England, but for the rest, he was ineffective, keeping possession of the ball too much and slowing the pace of the game down.

But what everyone will remember about him were his moments of poor behaviour. He celebrated his goal against the English by shouting "Shut up" at L'Equipe journalists, who criticised him in the build-up to the Euros.

Above all, his haughty and manipulative behaviour within the group will be remembered. He was incredibly annoyed with his team-mates after the match against Sweden on Tuesday after Karim Benzema, Alou Diarra, Hatem Ben Arfa amongst others had only criticism and blame for him. The tone was set, and insults were exchanged.

Is Nasri unmanageable? That's what everything seems to indicate.

He has had problems everywhere that he has been. At Marseille, the club of his heart, he had a heated relationship with Franck Ribery. At Arsenal, of course, he had problems with William Gallas stemming from the France camp. In short, he has behaved unacceptably all too often.

During Euro 2012, the France squad suffered from Nasri's personality. The Man City man wanted to impose himself as the boss, the leader, and manipulate his team-mates, claim privileges, and do things his own way.

It was Nasri who symbolically left the changing room first after the defeat to Spain. He didn't say a word to anyone and fled

He was not initially chosen to be part of the group to negotiate performance bonuses with Noel Le Graet, the president of the French Football Federation (FFF), but imposed himself among the players who were elected to speak to the chief.

On the pitch, he took up the same manner with his team-mates. He wanted to dominate them, demean them when he could, whether with words or with looks. One player told me on Saturday night after the match that the group couldn't stand him, and had completely rejected him.

Elsewhere, as a symbol, it was Nasri who symbolically left the changing room first after the defeat to Spain. He didn't say a word to anyone and he fled.

Laurent Blanc also suffered because of Nasri during the tournament. The coach put his faith in him, supported him, encouraged him, and was rewarded by Nasri insulting journalists and their mothers.

The former Bordeaux boss wanted to make Nasri his technical leader. He was fooled. He wanted to make him one of his leaders in the dressing room. He was fooled. His blind trust in the City star led him astray.

After making the right decision to leave Nasri out of the starting line-up against Spain, he was introduced into the game after just an hour of play. That wasn't the decision the players, fans, journalists or FFF chiefs were waiting for. Once again, Blanc was fooled. 

Not only was his fall and his behaviour unacceptable, but now he's in the process of taking his coach down with him. His faith towards his players could now cost him dearly when he meets Le Graet to discuss extending his contract.

Blanc is technically unemployed today since his contract with the France team ended on Saturday night. During negotiations, his stubbornness with regards to playing and defending Nasri (for example after the England game) could count against him.

Finally, the most unfortunate matter is that Nasri is a fantastically talented footballer. He has shown that since the beginning of his career. Just as Arsenal fans hate him today, they will not have forgotten his magnificent performance against Fulham in December 2010.

Throughout his career, he has produced some top-class moments, but has often lacked any sort of consistency at the highest level. But he's just 25 years old, and has time to perfect himself.

But what does the future hold for Nasri now? The France players' rebellion against him and his numerous misdemeanours do not bode well. Whether Blanc stays on as coach or not, his future for les Bleus is in jeopardy.

Throughout his career, he has produced some top-class moments but has often lacked any sort of consistency at the highest level.

There are also rumours that Manchester City are looking to sell him. This summer could be a very long one for him.

Just after the match against England, Nasri told me: "Let's wait until the end of the Euros before making any judgements instead of criticising players so early on in the competition."

Now that France have been eliminated, it's time to take stock, Samir. You scored only one goal in four matches and you did not live up to the expecations of your coach, who wanted to make you the team's on-pitch leader.

But above all, yet again, you have caused problems in the squad, so much that your team-mates complain about your behaviour, and you've fallen from grace again, this time with the press. There's no doubt that any judgements made of you today - and for some weeks to come - will be overwhelmingly negative.

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