Domenech plays down Anelka bust-up

20 June 2010 14:18

France coach Raymond Domenech has admitted he would have been prepared to allow Nicolas Anelka remain with the squad had he apologised for his part in the row which led to the forward being sent home from the World Cup.

Anelka's stay in South Africa was cut short on Saturday when he was disciplined by the French Football Federation after reports of his dressing-room bust-up were leaked to the media. The 31-year-old was offered the opportunity to say sorry but refused.

Domenech told French television station TF1: "I had a chat with him the next day and I left open the possibility for him to apologise, something which he did not want to do."

Anelka reportedly exploded in a foul-mouthed tirade after Domenech criticised him for straying out of position during the goalless first half of their 2-0 Group A defeat to Mexico on Thursday.

He was subsequently substituted before the start of the second half but Domenech said the incident had been blown out of proportion and Anelka could have remained with the team had he shown the necessary contrition.

"It was not a confrontation," the 57-year-old coach added. "People cannot imagine the pressure. We are in a dressing room, the coach says something to a player who is already under pressure, he can react angrily, and with strong words.

"He did not react in the most suitable fashion, but it was just a guy sitting in his corner and muttering - that would not have mattered had it stayed there.

"What was important was that it made the front page of a newspaper, and that exposes the internal life of the squad.

"I sorted out the problem internally, and as far as I was concerned it was done and dusted.

"The decision to exclude him was the right one. I am sorry for the children for whom the French team represents something. He (Anelka) does not have the right to say such things."

Source: PA