By Ian Ransom
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – France coach Herve Renard apologised on Tuesday for his furious outburst at Brazil staff at the end of his team’s tight win at the Women’s World Cup.
With Brazil seeking a late equaliser at Brisbane’s Lang Park on Saturday, a frustrated Renard took umbrage in the technical area as injury time dragged on due to frequent stoppages.
Pointing at his watch and yelling at the Brazil camp, Renard was restrained by one of his staff and angrily brushed away a match official who intervened.
“The only thing I know, I’m still a bit crazy like you have seen at the end of the game against Brazil,” he told reporters in Sydney on the eve of France’s Group F clash against Panama.
“I just would like to apologise about my behaviour at the end of the game.
“It’s not good behaviour and is not a good image for the French national team. So I apologise for this.”
The win over Brazil put France top of the group but level with second-placed Jamaica on four points.
France are favourite to stay top and reach the last 16 with victory over winless Panama, who have shipped five goals at the tournament but not scored any.
Renard said he would make changes to his starting 11 to freshen up the squad, and suggested captain Wendie Renard, who scored the winner against Brazil, might get some time off.
“I will speak to her because sometimes some players would rather play than be on the bench to be ready,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s good for them to rest, sometimes it isn’t. It depends on the player.”
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Robert Birsel)
