21 Jun 2010

Chaos in French World Cup team

8:42 am on 21 June 2010

France's World Cup campaign has descended into mayhem, with the players boycotting a training session in protest at the decision to send home star striker Nicolas Anelka.

Anelka was sent home for insulting coach Raymond Domenech at half time of a 2-0 defeat by Mexico on Thursday, that left France on the verge of an embarrassing exit at the group stage.

Sunday's public training session was about to start when a furious row erupted between captain Patrice Evra and fitness coach Robert Duverne.

Domenech had to move in to separate them. Duverne, who had apparently insisted training should take place, angrily threw his stopwatch on to the pitch and left.

France team director and FFF managing director Jean-Louis Valentin also left the pitch, saying he was quitting.

France's World Cup campaign will be over on Wednesday, unless they convincingly beat the hosts, South Africa, in their final Group A encounter, and Uruguay and Mexico do not draw the other match, the BBC reports.

Brazil gain last 16 place

Brazil have qualified for the round of 16 with a 3-1 win against Ivory Coast in their Group G clash in Johannesburg.

Brazil's goals came from Luis Fabiano, after 25 and 50 minutes, and from Elano, after 62 minutes.

Ivory Coast pulled a goal back through Chelsea star Didier Drogba.

Brazilian midfielder Kaka was controversially sent off for a second yellow card two minutes from time.