Ginola loses Houllier case - News & Comment - Football - The Independent 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. 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.