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.'
