Anelka sues for defamation

Nicolas Anelka is taking legal action against L’Equipe over a report it ran during the World Cup about the France striker’s half-time outburst against the team coach, the French sports daily confirmed yesterday.

Anelka’s verbal tirade against Raymond Domenech at half-time of their match against Mexico was splashed across the front page of L’Equipe’s June 19 edition. However Anelka disputes that he used the same words and is suing the paper for defamation.

“He is challenging the quote used in one of our editions. He has issued a writ claiming defamation,” the newspaper wrote yesterday.

“L’Equipe stands by its version and will keep its reasons for the court.”