The France players took no part in their Sunday training session in protest against the expulsion of Nicolas Anelka from the squad. The Chelsea striker was kicked out of the World Cup after he insulted his coach Raymond Domenech. Domenech, who has been facing a baptism of fire for the below-par performances of Les Bleus before and during the World Cup, read out to reporters a statement by the players regarding their controversial decision. "The players are unanimously against the French Football Federation's decision to expel Nicolas Anelka," the statement read. The session was also halted because of a row between captain Patrice Evra and fitness coach Robert Duverne. Consequently, France team director Jean-Louis Valentin handed in his resignation immediately. "They don't want to train, it's a scandal," said Valentin, who's also the managing director of the France Football Federation (FFF). "It's a scandal for French people, for the youngsters who came here to watch them train. "I'm resigning, I'm leaving the Federation. I have nothing more to do here. I'm going back to Paris." France are close to being ousted from the World Cup group stage after drawing 0-0 with Uruguay in the opener and losing 2-0 to Mexico in the next game. The one-time world champions will face hosts South Africa, whose qualification chances are slim too.
