France defender Eric Abidal says players still angry with sports minister over hotel comments

Abidal: French players angry with sports minister

KNYSNA, South Africa — Eric Abidal says France’s players are so angry with sports minister Rama Yade for publicly criticizing their lavish hotel at the World Cup that they will visit a local township without her.

Abidal and other France players were visiting a township in Knysna on Sunday for the renovation of a soccer field. Yade is also visiting the township, but without the players.

France is staying at a resort in Knysna, overlooking the Indian Ocean. Yade has said the accommodations lacked “decency” during an economic crisis.