Gear shifter is broken - 2004 Toyota ECHO

It sounds like there may be an issue with the gear shifter mechanism in your 2000 Ford Focus. The loose shifter and bad odor could indicate that something has broken or worn out inside the mechanism, and it might not be fully disengaging the gears. The fact that it still shifts into reverse suggests that the problem is not with the transmission itself but with the gear shifter assembly.
To fix the issue, the gear shifter mechanism will likely need to be disassembled and inspected for wear or damage. Any broken or worn parts will need to be replaced. It could be caused by the bushings or the gear shift cable that connects the gear shift lever to the transmission. These parts could be dried out, loose or broke. It is also possible that the linkage inside the gear shifter assembly is corroded, or there's internal issue with the shifter mechanism.
Given that it is a manual transmission , it is important that the vehicle is properly repaired as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the transmission or other components. It is best to take it to a professional mechanic to have it inspected and repaired.

clutches have nothing to go with sloppy shifter movement
it will be in the shifter linkage
broken or come of the slides

The gear shifter is broken. Sometimes you can still get the broken shifter to work by pushing it down (quite hard) as you try to find a gear .

If you are refering to a manual transmission, have a look at the shifter cable(s). One may be broken or disconnected

Most likely a broken fork bolt or shift fork itself. You will have to open trans to find issue.

check the lever pivot point in the turret on top of the gear box
they can come loose and the lever doesn't pivot and so will not move the shifter rail

is the shifter cable broken or can you feel some resistance on the shifter

All the parts you listed are internal to the transmission. The cable is external - it runs from the shifter lever to the range selector lever on the transmission. Their analysis doesn't sound right though. If the cable is broken, the shifter should move freely as you described. But that (broken cable and bent lever) happened AFTER the problem of the transmission being stuck in reverse. Your efforts to unstick probably bent the shifter and broke the cable. It would seem something was jammed before you tried to get out of reverse, possibly inside the transmission.

Sounds like you have a broken or disconnected shift cable.There are two cable attaching at different angles.Either disconnected at trans or below shifter.

A cable runs from the trans to the shifter mechanisum. So either the cable is broken or the shifter assembly