World Cup 2010: France descend toward farce as players refuse to train

-Team director Jean-Louis Valentin resigns in disgust
- Argument between fitness coach, Patrice Evra sparks walk off

France's chaotic World Cup descended towards a full-scale player revolt this afternoon after the players refused to train and national team director Jean-Louis Valentin quit in disgust.

The team arrived at training today but a few minutes after taking the field fitness coach Robert Duverne stormed away, throwing his accreditation badge to the ground, apparently after an argument with team captain Patrice Evra.

The players then left the training ground and boarded the team bus, in which they had a meeting with Domenech behind closed curtains.

Valentin announced his resignation after revealing the squad did not want to train. "Ask the players, they do not want to involve themselves any more. It's unacceptable," Valentin said.

"They don't want to train. It's a scandal for the French, it's a scandal for the federation and the French team.

"It is a shame. As for me, it's over. I'm leaving the federation. I'm sickened and disgusted.

"Under these conditions, I've decided to return to Paris and to resign."

The French team is in disarray after striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home after reports of a foul-mouthed tirade at Domenech, whose tactics and management skills have been called into question.

Domenech justified the decision to send Anelka home, saying the striker had refused to apologise for the outburst