KIEV — France started the mind games early ahead of its Euro 2012 opener against England Monday, as national sports newspaper L’Equipe inadvertently renamed one of England’s players — and changed his gender.

In an article on the daily’s website, England center-back Joleon Lescott was erroneously referred to as ‘Joan’.

Lescott has been drafted into the team to replace the injured Gary Cahill.
The blunder — coupled with the fact that none of the first 10 French fans to comment on the article noticed the mistake — suggests the Manchester City man is still to make a name for himself in France.

French press goes goal crazy
France’s journalists inflicted an ominous 6-1 defeat on their English counterparts Monday, a few hours before the two countries were due to face off in their opening Euro 2012 match at Donetsk’s Donbass Arena.

Former World Cup-winner Robert Pires was the inspiration behind the French victory, against a side containing former England international — and Marseille star — Chris Waddle.

“We lost a very close game 1-6,” wrote The Times’ Matt Dickinson on Twitter. “French dirty tricks — passing, flicks, feints and Robert Pires.” — AFP