http://footballblips.dailyradar.com/story/world-cup-2010-france-revolt-leaves-raymond-domenech/Players refuse to train after Patrice Evra argues with coach • 'Sickened and disgusted' team director resigns Raymond Domenech suffered the ultimate humiliation at the hands of his players as strikes, rows, resignations and recriminations left the French in disarray on one of the darkest days in the country's football history.
The French captain Patrice Evra, left, walks away after an argument with the fitness coach Robert Duverne, second right, who stormed off the training field despite attempts by Raymond Domenech, right, to calm him. Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
Raymond Domenech suffered the ultimate humiliation at the hands of his players as strikes, rows, resignations and recriminations left the French in disarray on one of the darkest days in the country's football history.
Domenech's impotence was laid bare in extraordinary fashion after his players refused to train at their scheduled afternoon session, in protest at the French Football Federation's decision to send home Nicolas Anelka. The Chelsea striker argued with Domenech in the dressing room at half-time in last Thursday's Group A defeat by Mexico, reportedly saying to him: "Go fuck yourself, you son of a whore." After he refused to apologise to Domenech, the FFF expelled him from the squad.
In front of hundreds of fans at what was an open session in Knysna, France's players began by signing autographs. But once on the pitch, the captain, Patrice Evra, had a row with Robert Duverne, the fitness coach, which resulted in the latter storming off and the players withdrawing to the team bus and pulling shut the curtains. Domenech had to separate Evra and Duverne.
Evra, who had earlier stayed on the bus to talk to Domenech, was seen with a letter, which turned out to be a statement from the players. Incredibly, it fell to Domenech to read it out. The coach seemed to be caught between a rock and a hard place and the scene was described by some commentators as the most unbelievable in the history of Les Bleus.
"All the players without exception want to declare their opposition to the decision taken by the FFF to exclude Nicolas Anelka from the squad," Domenech read. "At the request of the squad, the player in question attempted to have dialogue but his approach was ignored. The FFF 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."
The France team director, Jean-Louis Valentin, resigned. "It's a scandal for the French, for the young people here, for the federation and the French team," he said. "They don't want to train. It's unacceptable. As for me, it's over. I'm leaving the federation. I'm sickened and disgusted."
The FFF hit back at the players in a statement that said their actions were "unacceptable". It read: "Contrary to what the players said, this sanction [of Anelka] was taken following a long conversation with the person in the presence of the captain. The FFF apologise to the country for the unacceptable conduct of the players that are representing our country. A federal council shall be convened immediately on the completion of the French team's campaign to draw all the conclusions of the crisis that has been created."
France intend to train tomorrow , most likely behind closed doors, ahead of Tuesday's game against South Africa, in which the players intend to "ensure that France regains its honour". It is unclear whether Domenech will give the team talk. After drawing with Uruguay and losing to Mexico, France need a handsome victory coupled with a favourable result in the Uruguay's match against Mexico if they are to advance to the last 16.
Evra had earlier railed against the "traitor" in the squad's midst, "who told the press what was said" at half-time against Mexico. Duverne denied he was to blame. "I talked to Raymond Domenech on behalf of the players [after the dressing-room row], including Patrice Evra," he said. "I have children and I don't want to be sullied by rumours that I am the traitor." Evra later said that Duverne was not to blame.
Of his argument with Evra, Duverne said: "Patrice Evra came to tell me that the players were not going to participate in training. I was angry because we play a big game in two days and we have no right to destroy our last chance. We are in a difficult situation but it is not impossible."
Domenech had said that he had "left open the possibility" for Anelka to apologise but the player was not prepared to do so. "The decision to exclude him, then, was the right one," Domenech said earlier in the day. "I am sorry for the children for whom the French team represents something. Anelka does not have the right to say such things."
There is widespread anger in France and the day's events not only highlighted the divisions between the FFF and Domenech and the players respectively but they brought to a head the tensions that have dogged the set-up in recent weeks. Domenech, who has been accused of bizarre decision-making, has alienated many players, including Thierry Henry, William Gallas, Florent Malouda and Anelka, and there are clashes between individual members of the squad. Domenech will leave his post after the World Cup, to be replaced by Laurent Blanc.
