In 1982, Algeria made their first appearance at the World Cup. I believe it was the first Arab country to do so.
From Rabih Alameddine
The relationship between France and its 'foreign' players - blacks and North African Arabs - has always been troubled, particularly with Algerians.
I oscillate between being cynical and being naive on a regular basis. I always think that not much shocks me until something much too obvious does.
I always assumed that everyone knew no country would ever be awarded a World Cup without pricey gifts exchanging hands under the tables.
In 1975, I left the burning city of Beirut for the quiet insanity of England. To say that short, frail and wispy 15-year-old me didn't fit in would be such an understatement as to be a joke.
I stuck out more in an English public school than I would have had I marched in a May Day parade with the Red Army in Moscow or sashayed the Yves St. Laurent catwalk with supermodels or hunted seals with the Inuit or - well, you get the idea.
For me, soccer was a dance.
A team without hope fizzles: no flameout, no fire.
When I was younger, I used to find stories about divas charming. Not much anymore.
I gave up on the delusion that these players enjoy soccer as much as I do, that they play for the love of the game.
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