Latest news with #LesBleuets
1News
4 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
Junior All Blacks into U20s World Cup final after gritty win over France
The New Zealand will face South Africa in the final of the Under-20 Rugby World Cup in the Italian city of Rovigo after the junior All Blacks beat France 34-26 in their semifinal this morning. In an open game in Viadana, New Zealand raced out to a 14-0 lead but were reeled back twice in the first half as France made them pay for 28 missed tackles to only trail by five at the break after Fabien Brau-Boirie's late slice through the defence. The second half was a much tighter affair, New Zealand's defence keeping France at bay for the first 20 minutes before two yellow cards in quick succession for centre Jack Wiseman and wing Frank Vaenuku looked to open the door for Les Bleuets. However, New Zealand did not concede a point while they were two men down and ultimately ran out the winners to reach a first final since they won the championship for a sixth time in 2017. Stanley Solomon, Mosese Bason and Wiseman were first-half try scorers, with replacement lock Aisake Vakasiuola scoring a crucial try near the end. ADVERTISEMENT The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Trump's deadline for Russia, legal action against a supermarket giant, and an unusual marathon record. (Source: Breakfast) First-five Rico Simpson kicked four conversions and two penalties. It was a mature and gritty performance from a side whose head coach Milton Haig resigned on the eve of the tournament. "We talked about this game being our final," halfback and vice-captain Dylan Pledger said. "I think the boys played it like a final out there and now we've got one more game to go." South Africa, beaten by New Zealand in the U20s Rugby Championship this year, were 48-24 victors over Argentina in the other semifinal this morning. The junior Boks last won a world championship in 2012.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gérald Baticle extends as France U-21 manager
France U-21 manager Gérald Baticle has penned a two-year contract extension, the French FA has announced on Friday. The former Angers SCO head coach was Thierry Henry's assistant coach when the former Arsenal legend was in charge of Les Bleuets. Henry's resignation on the back of France's run to the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games paved the way for Baticle to be given the reins. Baticle has overseen nine games for France's U-21 team, logging four wins, four draws and one loss. Les Bleuets are currently in Slovakia to take part in the 2025 Euros. France have qualified for the quarter-finals. Les Bleuets have been held to a stalemate against Portugal before defeating Georgia and Poland. Castello Lukeba's teammates will lock horns with Denmark in the quarter-finals on Sunday. 'I am very proud and honored to carry on my mission as France U21 manager', Baticle said. 'I thank the Federation and its President for this vote of confidence, and it is with great enthusiasm and determination that we will approach these next two years.' Advertisement GFFN | Bastien Cheval
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Strasbourg's Mamadou Sarr to join Chelsea before Club World Cup
Mamadou Sarr (19) won't play international football for France's youth sides this summer. As per L'Équipe, Chelsea have refused to free him to play for Les Bleuets. Instead, he will travel with Chelsea for the FIFA Club World Cup, where he will be given a chance to convince Enzo Maresca. Sarr's move from RC Strasbourg Alsace to Stamford Bridge has not yet been confirmed, however, that is expected to change in the coming hours. As per a report from RMC Sport in January, the French centre-back is set to join RCSA's partner club in a €20m deal. Advertisement That deal will be completed imminently, L'Équipe understands. After a few days of rest, he will link up with his new Chelsea teammates before flying to the USA for the Club World Cup. There, he will be observed over the course of several weeks by Maresca, and a decision will then be taken whether to retain him for next season or send him back on loan to Strasbourg. GFFN | Luke Entwistle
The National
30-05-2025
- General
- The National
French imam receives suspended jail term over October 7 social media post
A French court on Friday sentenced an imam to a six-month suspended prison term for 'terrorism apology' after he re-posted a social media post saying the Hamas-led attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023 were justified. The Marseille criminal court also fined Smain Bendjilali €2,000 ($2,265) and imposed a five-year civil rights ban, which prevents him from voting or standing for public office. His name was added to a terrorist offences register. Bendjilali made headlines last year after the Interior Ministry tried to shut the mosque, Les Bleuets, where he preached due to his social media posts. Its closure was suspended after the imam agreed to withdraw temporarily and to take a degree in 'laicite' – a French concept that enshrines the separation between religion and state. National media reported that he was convicted of reposting a video on his account in July 2024, followed by 10,800 people, with a comment describing the October 7 attacks as 'self-defence'. However, he was acquitted for reposting a video accusing Israeli soldiers of torturing a Palestinian and adding that ISIS were 'choirboys' by comparison. The court followed the prosecution's demands, with the exception of a request for a six-month ban from social network X and a permanent ban from working at the Bleuets mosque. After the verdict, Bendjilali said he would resume his religious activities 'with pride', starting with Friday's sermon. 'I did not adhere to those remarks,' he said in a reference to the social media posts that triggered the court case, as he did during the hearing in March. 'Obviously, as soon as you defend Palestinians, you are anti-Semitic or terrorist. That will not silence us.' In a recently published report on the Muslim Brotherhood's activities in France ordered by the Interior Ministry, Bendjilali was described as having 'Salafist leanings' while also using 'Muslim Brotherhood codes.' The report said: 'He enjoys great popularity among young Muslims, notably due to his mastery of social networks.' The association that manages Les Bleuets mosque also oversees a Quranic school that offers Arabic language lessons and academic support to 500 students. Bendjilali headed the association until September 2024. Reacting to the Muslim Brotherhood report, Bendjilali told AFP that the French state was unfairly targeting Muslims. 'Now, even when you want to do good, it is considered entryism,' he said. Entryism is defined by senior state officials as an attempt by the Muslim Brotherhood to change the nature of the state via grassroots movements and to lobby for rules in line with Sharia. Bendjilali was also ordered to cover the legal fees of the International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism (Licra), a French association that was a civil party in his trial. His lawyer, Sefen Guez Guez, said they had not decided whether to appeal against the terrorism conviction. 'This decision, in any case, allows the imam to continue his future activities. In this file, there is a political context and pressure, a desire on the part of the Ministry of the Interior to close this mosque,' he said.
