The France and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is taking the French newspaper L'Equipe to court for libel, reports The Guardian. The newspaper printed details of his expletive-filled World Cup rant at the then France coach, Raymond Domenech.
Anelka has never denied ranting at Domenech during half-time in the group match against Mexico on 17 June, which France were drawing 0-0 at the time and went on to lose 2-0. But has said the newspaper distorted his words - splashed across the front page with the expletives included.
L'Equipe said on its website that the case is likely to start this autumn and the newspaper will defend itself by calling the "various witnesses to the scene". The French Football Federation sent Anelka home from the World Cup as a result of the story, and the following day the entire squad went on strike in protest at the decision.
