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Croydon denies taking out revenge against France ahead of Rugby World Cup French media hates Croydon, calling it 'monotonous'
(4 months later)
Croydon has had to deny taking revenge against France after a speeding ticket was slapped on the country's team bus ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Croydon has been described as “dull and monotonous” by a French newspaper.
The south London borough is currently home to the French rugby team, Les Bleus, while they compete in the tournament, which begins on Friday. The south London borough is currently home to the French rugby team, Les Bleus, while they compete in the Rugby World Cup, which begins on Friday.
But the French media has made negative comments about the town, describing it as a "dull" area. But MetroNews reported that Croydon was "pas tres chic" - translated as 'not very stylish' - and suggested the players were not enjoying their surroundings.
France's MetroNews reported that the borough was "pas tres chic" - translated as 'not very stylish' - and suggested the players were not enjoying their surroundings.
“Croydon remains dull and monotonous, especially in its northern part, much more [urbanised] than the south,” the paper's Sebastien Coca said.“Croydon remains dull and monotonous, especially in its northern part, much more [urbanised] than the south,” the paper's Sebastien Coca said.
Now the borough has had to defend giving the French rugby team's tour bus a parking ticket, insisting it is was not related to the remarks. The journalist also referred to the 2011 London riots as “the last time the area made headlines”.
The ticket was reportedly handed out while the players were was dining at the Apatura restaurant. The rugby team are staying at the four-star Selsdon Park Hotel in the borough, but the paper reported: "There’s no doubt they’ll linger for far less time in the town that surrounds it”.
Welcome to Croydon, Team France!! @rugbyworldcup @CroydonAd @CroydonGuardian #ParkingTicket #FML #ExpensiveCurry pic.twitter.com/7K3ZJR9Fnw
A statment from Croydon council said: "Despite appearances, this is not Croydon's revenge for disparaging remarks allegedly made about the town by a French rugby journalist earlier this week."
"The fact of the matter is that the coach was parked illegally in a bus stop on a busy main road," it said.
 
Other negative comments made by Mr Coca about Croydon referred to the 2011 London riots as “the last time the area made headlines”.
The rugby team are staying at the four-star Selsdon Park Hotel in the borough, but the article in MetroNews said there was no doubt they would "linger for far less time in the town that surrounds it”.
“Because if the place where the French XV are staying is pretty and leafy, this south London suburb is much less so.”“Because if the place where the French XV are staying is pretty and leafy, this south London suburb is much less so.”
Over the weekend, French rugby player, Uini Atonio, said his sleep was disrupted after a rowdy wedding party at the hotel kept him up.  
But a spokesman for the French rugby union squad said the team was being well-treated at the hotel. But Matthew Sims, chief executive of the Croydon Business Improvement District, said the French criticism was not helpful, adding Croydon was a “wonderful” place to be.
Sky News reported that Lionel Rossigneux said: "Everything is fine. We are enjoying the place. The hotel is great. All the staff are very dedicated to the team. It's quiet, which is exactly what we need for the team."
Matthew Sims, chief executive of the Croydon Business Improvement District, said earlier that the French criticism was not helpful, adding Croydon was a “wonderful” place to be.
“With the level of activity taking place here, the growth experienced in terms of those who want to work, live and visit Croydon, these kind of reports do not set us back.“With the level of activity taking place here, the growth experienced in terms of those who want to work, live and visit Croydon, these kind of reports do not set us back.
“I wouldn’t say it is helpful but it is certainly not going to put us back because we have more than enough going on here, with £5.2 billion secured to transform Croydon and make it the regeneration borough for London."“I wouldn’t say it is helpful but it is certainly not going to put us back because we have more than enough going on here, with £5.2 billion secured to transform Croydon and make it the regeneration borough for London."
Over the weekend, French rugby player, Uini Atonio, said his sleep was disrupted after a rowdy wedding party kept him up.
And in an incident unlikely to make the borough any more popular with the national rugby team, it was reported by the Croydon Advertiser that their tour bus was given a parking ticket.
Additional reporting by PAAdditional reporting by PA