COACH, CRITICS CLASH ONLINE
Gamel asks ‘Where’s the pride?’ after people question national team, FFA
Fearless Vodafone Fijian football coach Christophe Gamel “..feels more Fijian…” than people who are criticising him and the Fiji Football Association. The French national is not backing down against people criticising the selection of the national team on social media.
Speaking to Fiji Sun yesterday, no-nonsense Gamel said it was all about setting the record straight and people who have criticised him and the Fiji FA on Facebook did not know what was really happening.
“They don’t know what’s internal and that’s why I tell them straight because they are speaking of something that they don’t know,” Gamel said.
“I do my work as to what the federation wants. Some say about putting money in my pocket. How can they say that when it’s not true.”
Gamel said the issue here was about national pride, something he has reiterated its importance and value right from the day he started work here.
“I feel more Fijian than some of these
people criticising because I know some districts want the national team to lose. That’s bad,” he said.
“All these critics should realise and value what their country has given to them. I want to change the mindset here because in France when you play for your country, they do it with pride. That’s why I tell the players here when you play for your country you come early to camp and not come in late.”
Last Sunday, Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel confirmed that they were going to take severe action on a particular player who always had excuses when told to join the national team.
Gamel said football in the country was undergoing a building-up process and that is why there was a mixture of young and experienced players in the team that will take on the Solomon Islands on Thursday at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.
Here are some of the comments made: GAMEL: I DECIDE ON THE SELECTION Christophe Gamel
Hope it is clear!
Pawan Pratik Lal
Very clear sir...
Shahi Shabz
Its better to get behind the team and support the boys rather then criticising. All the best Mr coach No place for nepotism in elite sport, soon get found out if not!
Nilesh Lal
Hope that the performance is better this time around, based on your selection.
Christophe Gamel
It could have been better if I had 2,5 weeks to prepare the team, having 1 training session before the game to settle the team is impossible. Regards
Aavai Naivaluwaqa
Nilesh what performance are you talking about? The fact we dominated NZ on home soil and 2 silly mistakes cost us points?
As coach said, the timing of Fiji FACT hasn’t helped us, at least we are going into the New Caledonia game with matches for the boys
Ravindra Pillay
Hope miracles are not expected out of Gamel. He looks very green!!!
Gyán Prasad
Christophe Gamel can you coach the sevens team as well? With Rajesh Moses Mani as your defence coach.
Christophe Gamel
Gyán Prasad no lol but i discover the 7s and it is a fantastic game.