Anelka unhappy with KK
Last updated : 04 November 2002 By
Anelka is reported as having wanted to return to France to play in a friendly at Nimes on Monday evening.
The friendly is being staged to raise money for those hit by floods in South East France back in September, 24 people lost their lives in the flooding.
Anelka's reaction is quoted in several sources.
"I can't go, I'm really upset about it. The explanation is simple - the manager wouldn't let me go," said Anelka.
"I just want to say to Lolo (Blanc) and all those who organised this match - and to whom I'd said 'yes' on the phone - that I'm very sorry.
"It's a rare thing for footballers to mobilise themselves like this, to actually do something and to show people that they don't just think about themselves. Starting with me.
"But then you have to take the club's interests into account. Even though I understand their position, it's still very frustrating."
Keegan refused to let Anelka travel because he wants him in his side for Tuesday's Worthington Cup tie at Wigan. Keegan sees the competition as more important than some of his Premiership managerial colleagues do as it could represent a way into Europe for the blues.
Let's hope this represents little more than a minor tiff between the boss and the striker he described at the weekend as one of the best in the world.
