Many players have managed to reconcile career at the highest level and smoking. In the past, Johan Cruyff, Zinedine Zidane, Marco Verratti or Gerard Piqué have been pinned. Another emblematic case, that of Fabien Barthez, notorious smoker. And a priori not just tobacco as evidenced by its suspension after a positive cannabis control.
His room in Clairefontaine was the unofficial smoker of the Blues where Laurent Blanc, Zinedine Zidane or Emmanuel Petit found himself in particular. His cigarette addiction had reacted in England after his signature in Manchester United. “In United, the laundry room was full of smoke every morning because Laurent Blanc and Fabien Barthez could not train until they had smoked their cigarettes”, had thus told Paul Scholes.
Critics had been numerous across the Channel, but Fabien Barthez had been able to count on the support of Alex Fergusson, his trainer. “I prefer that he smoke rather that he has a problem of alcoholism”had said Fergie. The goalkeeper was however obviously a big smoker.
Fabien Barthez surprised in the toilet smoking
Southampton coach Gordon Strachan had revealed to have found him in the corridors of Old Trafford after he was released in the first period due to an injury, with no less than six butts at his feet and a new cigarette in the beak. “It is difficult to reconcile with high level sport”, had he then assured.
Questioned in the columns of L'Equipe, Fabrice Henry, former teammate of Fabien Barthez at Olympique de Marseille in turn told an anecdote on the penchant of the former Toulousain for the cigarette. “Before a match, I want to go pissing and see smoke coming out of the toilet!” I open the door and Fabien was sitting on the puppies, smoking his cigarette! »»he said.
