Domenech: Players may boycott Cup game

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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 21 (UPI) -- Some disgruntled members of France's World Cup team may not participate in Tuesday's match against the host South Africa, Coach Raymond Domenech says.

Domenech, appearing at a news conference Monday without team captain Patrice Evra, said the absence of team members protesting the dismissal of striker Nicolas Anelka "is a possibility," the Los Angeles Times reported.

"We will have to take it into account when I compose the team with my staff," said the embattled coach, whose leadership of the team was questioned in a profane tirade delivered by Anelka after Thursday's 2-0 loss to Mexico.

After allegedly Anelka refused to apologize to the coach, the French Football Federation dismissed him from the team.

Evra, who skipped the traditional coach-captain pre-game press conference, led players in boycotting practice Saturday in protest. Team members returned to the pitch Sunday wearing workout uniforms stripped of all sponsor logos, the Times said.

The boycott "was an aberration, an imbecility, a stupidity with no name," Domenech told reporters, adding, "The sanction (on Anelka) was absolutely justified and I fully support the Federation's decision. Nobody can allow himself to behave that way.