Anelka sent home

KNYSNA, South Africa (AP): Rifts in France's dressing room were brought into full view yesterday when striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home from the World Cup for insulting coach Raymond Domenech, adding further tension to a team that has been struggling to find harmony on and off the pitch.

Anelka's exclusion heaps more embarrassment on a malfunctioning team that could be set for another huge failure at a major tournament after their group-stage elimination from the European Championship two years ago.

Anelka was sent home for refusing to apologise after aiming an expletive-laced tirade at Domenech during the half-time team talk during Thursday's 2-0 defeat to Mexico.

The fact that the spat was made public has further increased the unrest in the French camp, with captain Patrice Evra saying there is a "traitor" within the team who leaked the comments to media.

Anelka made his comments as he went to sit in his corner of the changing room after being reproached by Domenech for his lacklustre performance against Mexico. Domenech responded by telling him, "You're not carrying on," Escalettes said.

Anelka also said the argument should have stayed within the team.

"It happened within the confines of the changing rooms, between the coach and me, in front of my teammates and the staff," Anelka told the website of France Soir newspaper. "That should never have come out of the changing rooms. I don't know who can benefit from that, but repeating these kind of things certainly doesn't help (the team)."

players wanted otherwise

Evra said all the players wanted Anelka to stay, but the French football federation (FFF) decided otherwise.

"He's upset by this, he is really hurt, disgusted," Evra said. "The problem isn't Anelka, it's the traitor among us."

However, the FFF cut Anelka adrift because they felt his comments went too far.

Anelka was due to leave last night, French football federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes said.

The timing of Anelka's demise could not come at a worse time for a once-proud team that is now riddled by conflicts - just like it was at Euro 2008 under Domenech.

France drew their opening game 0-0 against Uruguay and have only one point from two games. They must beat South Africa to stand a chance of advancing, and also hope Mexico and Uruguay don't draw as they have four points each.