Days before Raymond Domenech's side opened their tournament against Uruguay in Cape Town, Gallas had let it be known he would be snubbing all media in protest at being overlooked for the captaincy.

That pompous, self-important gesture generally amused rather than annoyed journalists, but tellingly hinted at dissension in the ranks.

"That's bulls***," new team captain Patrice Evra told Press Association Sport in the immediate aftermath of the woeful goalless draw with Uruguay.

"That's not true. The mood is good. William is a professional and he wants to play at the World Cup. Everything is okay. I guarantee the atmosphere is very good. It's not a problem."

Eleven days and several stunning squabbles later, France's tournament reached an ignominious end as they limped home with defeat by hosts South Africa.

Regardless of whether it was a catalyst, a by-product or a mere indicator, Gallas' not atypical tantrum showed that however much they initially claimed otherwise, there were at least some problems within the camp. Travelling to South Africa led by a coach already on his way out before a ball was kicked was surely less than ideal foundations upon which to build - and so it proved.

After that opening game, France legend Zinedine Zidane criticised Les Bleus for a lack of teamwork, suggesting egos were preventing the side working together.

There were also reports Chelsea winger Florent Malouda had been involved in a row with coach Domenech in training prior to their opening Group A match, for which he was only a substitute.

Next up, a humiliating 2-0 defeat by Mexico left Domenech's side on the brink following an even more fractured and feeble performance which Malouda conceded was "shameful" and Evra labelled a "catastrophe" and "disgusting".

The players' frank assessment was more than matched by the media back home, whose withering criticism was, for once, more than justified.

Two days later, striker and veteran 'enfant terrible' Nicolas Anelka trumped team-mates Gallas and Malouda by getting himself sent home.

Following a foul-mouthed rant at Domenech at half-time during the Mexico defeat, the Chelsea striker refused to apologise and was promptly packed off home by the French Football Federation.

"Words spoken by Nicolas Anelka to the national coach, Raymond Domenech, are completely unacceptable to the FFF, French football and the values they defend," read the FFF's statement.

Another stunning development saw the players boycott training in support of the now-departed Anelka.

Just a few minutes after taking the field for a training session at their Knysna base in South Africa, captain Evra and fitness coach Robert Duverne became involved in an argument.

Domenech stepped in and Duverne stormed away as the players walked off and boarded the team bus.

Despite seemingly being the target of the players' ire, the coach himself returned moments later to read a statement from the squad to the assembled media.

In the wake of the incident, France team director Jean-Louis Valentin said he would be resigning.

"It's a scandal for the French, it's a scandal for the federation and the French team," he said.

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

The FFF announced an official investigation into the boycott and even French president Nicolas Sarkozy got involved, asking his sports minister Roselyne Bachelot to meet with the key people involved in the row.

She told TFI television: "We are taking note of the indignation of the French people and...calling for dignity and responsibility.

"It's not yet the right time to take disciplinary action but that time will come very soon."

She added: "I told the players they had tarnished the image of France. It is a morale disaster for French football.

"I told them they could no longer be heroes for our children. They have destroyed the dreams of their countrymen, their friends and supporters."

The farcical situation became even more laughable - particularly for Irishmen still burning with indignation over their controversial play-off defeat by France - when Evra was dropped for the final group match with South Africa.

Needing a minor miracle to avoid a humiliating early exit, Evra was probably somewhat relieved to miss the match, which France went on to lose 2-1 anyway.

As France headed home, the post-mortem began. Jean-Pierre Escalettes resigned as FFF president; the Government inquiry was launched; deposed skipper Thierry Henry met with Sarkozy; Malouda begged forgiveness and Domenech went off in search of a rock to hide under.

From afar, incoming coach Laurent Blanc was surely wondering what he has got himself into.