France crisis deepens as squad refuse to train

France’s disastrous World Cup campaign went from bad to worse on Sunday when the squad refused to take part in a training session in front of the public, according to top French Football Federation official Jean-Louis Valentin who subsequently resigned.

“I am disgusted, I am quitting my post,” Valentin told the assembled press.

“It is for the players to tell you why (they refuse to train),” he added.

Valentin quit shortly after France captain Patrice Evra had a shouting match with fitness coach Robert Duverne prior to the scheduled training session which led to embattled coach Raymond Domenech to intervene.

The incident took place as the rest of the squad – minus shamed striker Nicolas Anelka who has been sent home after a foul mouthed tirade of abuse at Domenech – were greeting the members of the public who had been allowed in to watch the session.

Evra departed to acknowledge the fans while a furious Duverne threw his stopwatch towards the far end of the pitch and stormed off.

“I am ashamed, I am leaving immediately for Paris,” said Valentin.

“What has happened is a scandal for the Federation, for the French team and for the whole country. They do not want to train, it is unacceptable.”

A dozen minutes after the incident and with the training session still to start, the curtains on the players bus were drawn with the coaching staff still on the side of the pitch.

France need to beat hosts South Africa handsomely on Tuesday and hope that the Mexico against Uruguay clash does not end in a draw if they are to have any chance of reaching the second round.