• World Cup

Anelka sent home from finals

ESPNsoccernet staff
June 19, 2010
Nicolas Anelka was substituted at half-time against Mexico © Getty Images
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France striker Nicolas Anelka has been sent home from the World Cup, the French Football Federation have confirmed.

Anelka was reportedly embroiled in war of words with Raymond Domenech at half-time in the 2-0 defeat to Mexico, in which was alleged to have told the much-maligned Les Bleus' coach "go screw yourself, dirty son of a whore".

And after refusing to apologise to Domenech for the exchange, the Chelsea striker has been told he must leave South Africa before France's must-win final group game against South Africa.

Anelka was absent from training on Saturday after the bust-up, which saw him substituted at the interval. He was asked to apologise by French Football Federation (FFF) president Jean-Pierre Escalettes and, upon refusing to do so, was asked to leave the squad.

"He will leave the Team France camp this evening,'' said a statement onthe FFF's official website.

The incident invokes memories of the 2002 World Cup, when former Manchester United captain Roy Keane was sent home from the Ireland squad before the tournament in Japan and South Korea began, following a training ground spat with coach Mick McCarthy.

And at the 1996 European Championships, Netherlands star Edgar Davids was sent home by boss Guus Hiddink, after saying in a radio interview that "Hiddink must take his head out of players' asses, so he can see better".

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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