A French world champion spoke about David Ginola’s mistake in 1993 which cost him qualification for the 1994 World Cup.
The last World Cup that the French team missed was that of 1994 in the United States. The Tricolores fell by the wayside by losing in the last qualifying match against Bulgaria (1-2). One player in particular took responsibility for this failure, in this case David Ginola.
“They wanted Ginola’s skin”
For having missed the corner which resulted in the second Bulgarian goal, Ginola was crucified in the public square by his coach Gérard Houllier. Severe treatment from which he suffered for a long time. The two men never reconciled and even clashed in court.
Recently, a 1998 world champion returned to this episode, namely Stéphane Guivarc’h. The latter arrived in the selection just after Ginola was sidelined. He even partly benefited from it, but he believes that the “Magnifico” paid unfairly for the others.
“In the French team, he was twisted, judged the former striker in an interview with So Foot. Without kidding, we can say whatever we want about the ball he plays, someone has to cut the Bulgarian, that’s all, it’s just not possible this goal in the 93rde when there is the World Cup at the end. Nobody sacrifices themselves over this? And it’s Ginola who’s going to take the blame? It’s bullshit, it’s disgusting. They wanted his skin.”
Guivarc’h did not play with Ginola in Blue. On the other hand, he rubbed shoulders with him in Brest when he was starting out as a professional. “I remember his presence, he was someone who exuded. Already physically, it’s a body, and then technically very strong. His chest cushions, there…”he added about the former PSG star.
