[NEW] France squad refuse to train! ; Evra bust-up with...
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Anelka - sent home by France after dressing-room bust-up.
The France squad released a statement condemning the decision to send Nicolas Anelka home and refused to train on Sunday.
A day after the French Football Federation decided to punish the Chelsea striker for an outburst against coach Raymond Domenech at half-time of Thursday's 2-0 defeat to Mexico, the mood among the remaining players was one of anger and resentment.
Just a few minutes after taking the field ahead of training, fitness coach Robert Duverne reportedly stormed away from an argument with captain Patrice Evra, throwing his accreditation badge to the ground.
The players then left the training ground and boarded the team bus, in which they had a meeting with Domenech behind closed curtains.
France team director Jean-Louis Valentin announced his resignation after revealing the squad did not want to train.
"Ask the players, they do not want to involve themselves any more. It's unacceptable," Valentin told assembled media when quizzed as to why he was quitting.
"They don't want to train. It's a scandal for the French, it's a scandal for the federation and the French team.
"It is a shame. As for me, it's over. I'm leaving the federation. I'm sickened and disgusted.
"Under these conditions, I've decided to return to Paris and to resign."
The players then released a statement which was read out by Domenech.
It read: "All players without exception want to declare their opposition to FFF decision to exclude Nicolas Anelka."
The players added they felt the FFF "had at no time tried to protect the squad."
They did vow, however, "to do everything individually and collectively so that France regains its honour [against South Africa] on Tuesday".
- Football365.com
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France World Cup squad refuse to train after bust-up between Patrice Evra and fitness coach Robert Duverne
France's chaotic World Cup campaign is in disarray after the players boycotted training in support of Nicolas Anelka, who was sent home yesterday for a row with coach Raymond Domenech.
Less than 24 hours after the Chelsea forward was excluded by the French Football Federation (FFF) for refusing to apologise for his verbal attack on Domenech, the rest of the squad took matters into their own hands.
Just a few minutes after taking the field for a training session at their Knysna base in South Africa captain Patrice Evra and fitness coach Robert Duverne became involved in an argument.
Flashpoint: Skipper Evra had a row with the fitness coach
Domenech stepped in and Duverne stormed away as the players walked off and boarded the team bus.
The coach returned moments later to read a statement from the squad to the assembled media.
'All players without exception want to declare their opposition to FFF decision to exclude Nicolas Anelka,' it said.
The statement added the players were angered the Anelka-Domenech row had become public and criticised the FFF, 'which at no time tried to protect the squad'.
However, the players vowed 'to do everything individually and collectively so that France regains its honour [against South Africa] on Tuesday'.
Down and out: France are on the verge of dropping out of the World Cup
The walkout was prompted by events yesterday when Anelka was dismissed from the squad after he refused to say sorry for his outburst at Domenech.
Anelka exploded in a foul-mouthed tirade after the coach criticised him for straying out of position during the goalless first half of their 2-0 Group A defeat by Mexico on Thursday.
The 31-year-old was subsequently substituted before the start of the second half. Last night Manchester United defender Evra accused a 'traitor' within the camp of trying to destabilise the squad after the details of Anelka's row were leaked to the press.
But the players, already under pressure as a draw between Uruguay and Mexico on Tuesday will confirm France's elimination from the tournament irrespective of their result against hosts South Africa, felt the need to make a more public stand.
'With this statement, all the players in the France squad without exception want to declare their opposition to the decision taken by the French Football Federation to exclude Nicolas Anelka from the squad.
Shambles: France players return to their bus after refusing to take part in a training
'If we regret the incident which occurred at half-time of the match between France and Mexico, we regret even more the leak of an event which should have remained within the group and which is quite common in a high-level team.
'At the request of the squad, the player in question attempted to have dialogue but his approach was ignored.
'For its part, the French Football Federation has at no time tried to protect the squad. It has made a decision (to send Anelka home) without consulting all the players, on the basis of the facts reported by the press.
'Accordingly, and to mark the opposition to those at the highest level of French football, all the players decided not to train today.
Out of respect for the public who came to attend training, we decided to go to meet the fans who, by their presence, showed their full support.
Off home: Nicolas Anelka was sent home after a run in with Domenech
'For our part, we are aware of our responsibilities as those wearing the colours of our country. Also for those we have towards our fans and countless children who keep Les Bleus as role models.
'We forget none of our duties. We will do everything individually and also in a collective spirit to ensure that France regains its honour with a positive performance on Tuesday.'
Domenech had stressed earlier in the day that had Anelka apologised he would have allowed him to stay with the squad.
He also played down the seriousness and context of his disagreement with the Chelsea striker.
'It was not a confrontation,' said the 57-year-old, whose six-year reign as France boss will end with the country's participation in the South Africa as he is being replaced by 1998 World Cup-winner Laurent Blanc.
Hitting the headlines: The bust-up between Nicolas Anelka and Domenech was leaked to the press
'People cannot imagine the pressure. We are in a dressing room, the coach says something to a player who is already under pressure, he can react angrily, and with strong words.
'He did not react in the most suitable fashion, but it was just a guy sitting in his corner and muttering - that would not have mattered had it stayed there.
'What was important was that it made the front page of a newspaper, and that exposes the internal life of the squad.
'I sorted out the problem internally, and as far as I was concerned it was done and dusted.
'I had another chat with him (Anelka) the next day and I left open the possibility for him to apologise, something which he did not want to do.
'The decision to exclude him was the right one. He does not have the right to say such things.'
In the wake of events today France team director Jean-Louis Valentin said he would be resigning.
'It's a scandal for the French, it's a scandal for the federation and the French team, he said.
'It is a shame. As for me, it's over. I'm leaving the federation. I'm sickened and disgusted.
'Under these conditions, I've decided to return to Paris and to resign.'
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I like tis
beisong dun wan train
tis is