UPDATED: France in crisis as team refuse to train

It has been revealed that the France national team amazingly refused to train on Sunday following a dispute on the training pitch.

France team-director Jean-Louis Valentin has also resigned from his role with the French Football Federation, telling the press that he was "ashamed" of the team.

The French squad arrived at training on Sunday morning and took to the field, but within a few minutes, fitness coach Robert Duverne stormed away from an argument with coach Raymond Domenech.

Duverne then threw his accreditation badge to the ground after the heated row and walked away before the squad players decided to bring the training session to a premature end and board the team bus.

France are already in disarray after Nicolas Anelka was sent home following an argument with Domenech at half-time of their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Mexico.

It was reported that Anelka swore at his manager after he was criticised for straying out of position. The Chelsea striker was sent home on Saturday and has reportedly refused to play for his country again.

The French players have since released a statement about the decision to send the striker home which reads: "All players without exception want to declare opposition to the decision to exclude Nicolas Anelka."

France must beat South Africa on Tuesday to stand any chance of qualifying from Group A whilst also hoping that Uruguay and Mexico do not draw their game if they are to progress.

Domenech explains Anelka row

"I had another chat with him and left open the possibility for him to apologise," Domenech is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"That was something which he did not want to do."

Domenech, who will step down after the World Cup, says that a leak to the media from the dressing room made the problem much worse.

"People cannot imagine the pressure," he said.

"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.

"But the decision to exclude him was the right one. I am sorry for the children for whom the French team represents something. Anelka does not have the right to say such things