The 2014 World Cup playoff draw has put the global tournament back on the agenda this week and with France involved (they have been drawn against Ukraine), it only brings reminders of their meltdown in 2010.
Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra was at the heart of the controversy in South Africa three years. As captain, he led a players strike after Nicolas Anelka had been sent home for insulting the French manager Raymond Domenech.
France would probably like to forget that incident and recent player controversies but Evra is having none of it.
In an interview on French TV, he publicly lambasted pundits who he says have been overly-critical of him. He went as far as referring to them as "bums" or "tramps" depending on which translation you prefer.
This has led the French Football Federation to demand an explanation.
Firstly he criticized former France left-back Bixente Lizarazu, saying this of the World Cup, European Championship and Champions League winner:
"I don't know what Lizarazu has against me. I was twice voted the best left back in the world and four times the best left back in the Premier League. I don't know if he was ever voted the best left back in the world. He is the only player who did not shake my hand when I got my first cap with France."
Bixente Lizarazu formerly of France and Bayern Munich
He also berated Euro 84 winner Luis Fernandez:
"I have been told that Luis Fernandez (was speaking ill of me). In 2008, I gave him a tour of Old Trafford and he was like he was at Euro Disney. When he got the PSG keys, apart from sucking lollipops and dancing Macarena by the pitch, I don't know what he's achieved".
He also hit out at other pundits Rolland Courbis and Pierre Menes, of whom he said:
"I hope to see him someday, because he talked about my family. He said that I would sell my mother to play for the French team. I hope to get him one of these days. The day he manages eight keepie uppies, I will end my career."
If you can understand French, here is the original interview below:
