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World Cup 2010: Nicolas Anelka denies foul-mouthed tirade at Raymond Domenech
France striker Nicolas Anelka has denied reports that he directed a foul-mouthed outburst at coach Raymond Domenech before being kicked out of the French World Cup squad.




Anelka admitted having a "heated discussion" with the coach at half-time of the goalless draw with Mexico on Thursday, but denied a report in L'Equipe that he had told Domenech "go screw yourself, dirty son of a *****".

"I certainly had a heated discussion with the coach but it happened in the sanctity of the dressing room, between the coach and I, in front of my team-mates and the team's staff.

"This should never have left the dressing room," Anelka told France-Soir newspaper.

"I insist that the words which have come out in the press are not my words," he said, although he declined to reveal exactly what he had said.

The Chelsea striker said: "I don't know who it helps to spread this sort of stuff around, but certainly not the players.

"It has never been my aim to destabilise the France team, which is an institution I respect," he said.

France captain Patrice Evra added to the dispute by claiming that there is "a traitor" among France's World Cup staff who must have leaked details of Anelka's expletive-filled rant to a newspaper.

Evra says the leak: "came from someone in this group, who wishes the French team harm" and that "the problem isn't Anelka, it's the traitor among us."

The French Football Federation (FFF) said 31-year-old Anelka would leave South Africa on Saturday after he refused to apologise for his "unacceptable" remarks.

His tirade came after Domenech told him to stop straying out of position against Mexico following a first half when Anelka had barely threatened the Mexican goal, according to L'Equipe.

Domenech replaced Anelka with Andre-Pierre Gignac for the second 45 minutes, but Mexico won 2-0 with two second-half goals, leaving France – the winners in 1998 and the runners-up four years ago – staring elimination in the face.

Anelka said he accepted the decision to exclude him from the squad and he wished the rest of the players luck for their final Group A match against South Africa, which they must win handsomely to have any chance of staying in the World Cup.