Ginola loses Houllier case

Footballer David Ginola who was first person Viner interviewed for The Independent (Getty Images)

A French court yesterday dismissed David Ginola's law suit for slander and defamation against the former France coach Gérard Houllier, after a 19-year feud between the pair.

Houllier's lawyer, Jean-Claude Guidicelli, said the court ruled there were "irregularities" in the case of the former player. "The court wanted to end this story by dismissing David Ginola's case," he said.

France failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup when they lost 2-1 at home to Bulgaria after a last-gasp goal in their final qualifying game. Houllier blamed Ginola for misplacing a cross that allowed Bulgaria to launch a decisive counter-attack.