Lingerie model and centrepiece of the John Terry scandal, Vanessa Perroncel has been nominated by the French Football Association as a candidate for French Footballer Of The Year, despite the fact that the go getting Gallic gal has never played the beautiful game in her life.
President Sarkozy is said to be delighted that Ms Perroncel has received the nomination because she had - as a glorious symbol and shining example of French womanhood - single handedly thrown England's World Cup preparations into a state of total disarray.
Not only have Ms Perroncel's knicker doffing predilections resulted in disharmony among England's international squad, they have also resulted in a dramatic crisis of confidence within former skipper John Terry, the refusal of Wayne Bridge to join the squad, prompting a left-back crisis hampered by Ashley Cole's broken ankle, and also an air of suspicion and unease among the other WAGSs of the England team.
Of course, any disruption to the England set-up is endlessly gloated over by the French, particularly if it involves a madamoiselle and provokes palpitations in England manager Fabio Capello.
Lassbrokes are offering 4/5 that another sex scandal will break before the World Cup Finals, with 2/1 on it involving Jermaine Defoe and 1/2 that it will involve a Frenchwoman.
More as we get it.
