French Sponsors Unhappy With Team, Cut Sponsorship Payoff To Federation

Unsatisfied by "certain elements of the team" during Euro 2012, sponsors for France's national team have already decided they will not pay the entire sum they were suppose to owe the federation following the tournament, according to CHRONOFOOT.com. Following the "disaster in Knysna" during the 2010 World Cup, the sponsors had renegotiated their deal with the French Football Federation so that half of the money they give each year can be cut by up to 20% depending on "Les Bleus'" public image. This year, the FFF is suppose to receive €18M ($22M) from sponsors.  However, €750,000 ($932,000) will not be coming their way due to the events at Euro 2012. Players Nasri, M'Vila, Ben Arfa and Menez could "face sanctions" for their behavior. France team sponsor PMU Communication Dir Benoit Cornu was disappointed. Cornu: "The team was not open and did not respect its supporters" (CHRONOFOOT.com, 6/26).