Anelka was kicked out of the team for a profanity-laced tirade against coach Raymond Domenech, whose tactics and management skills have been called into question. "The French Football Federation did not at any time try to protect the group. They took a decision uniquely based on facts reported by the press," Domenech said, reading a statement on behalf of the players.
"All the players in the French squad without exception wish to affirm their opposition to the decision taken by the federation to exclude Nicolas Anelka," said the statement.
Tensions in the French camp rose to the surface when the players travelled to the training pitch in Knysna in their bus, but ^ led by captain Patrice Evra ^ refused to start the session.
Manchester United defender Evra had a shouting match with France's fitness coach Robert Duverne prior to the scheduled session, leading Domenech to intervene. A furious Duverne stormed off and threw his stopwatch towards the far end of the pitch in frustration.
This led top French Football Federation official Jean-Louis Valentin, whose job is to liaise between the team and the federation, to announce he was resigning. "I am disgusted, I am quitting my post," Valentin told the assembled journalists watching the chaotic events unfold.
"I am ashamed, I am leaving immediately for Paris. 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," he added.
After the players' letter was read out to journalists, the players trooped back on to the bus to return to their hotel without starting the training session.
The new scandal came a day after Evra told reporters a "traitor" within the team had leaked Anelka's insults to the press. French sports daily L'Equipe put them on their front page and a few hours later, Anelka was kicked out of the squad. Asked by a reporter on Sunday if he was the "traitor", Valentin replied "no, no, no" and appeared close to tears.
FIFA said at the time they had no information on any players disappearing. The North Koreans were then expected to explain the mystery at a scheduled press conference on Friday, but they cancelled. But on Sunday, all of the squad turned up for training on Sunday.
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