Less than 24 hours after the Chelsea forward was excluded by the French Football Federation (FFF) for refusing to apologise for his verbal attack on Domenech, the rest of the squad took matters into their own hands.

Just a few minutes after taking the field for a training session at their Knysna base in South Africa captain Patrice 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.

The coach returned moments later to read a statement from the squad to the assembled media.

"All players without exception want to declare their opposition to FFF decision to exclude Nicolas Anelka," it said.

The statement added the players were angered the Anelka-Domenech row had become public and criticised the FFF, "which at no time tried to protect the squad".

However, the players vowed "to do everything individually and collectively so that France regains its honour [against South Africa] on Tuesday".

The walkout was prompted by events yesterday when Anelka was dismissed from the squad after he refused to say sorry for his outburst at Domenech.

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

The 31-year-old was subsequently substituted before the start of the second half.

Last night Manchester United defender Evra accused a "traitor" within the camp of trying to destabilise the squad after the details of Anelka's row were leaked to the press.

But the players, already under pressure as a draw between Uruguay and Mexico on Tuesday will confirm France's elimination from the tournament irrespective of their result against hosts South Africa, felt the need to make a more public stand.

"If we regret the incident that occurred at half-time of the match between France and Mexico we regret even more that an event which belongs within our group was made public," said the players' statement.

"For its part, the French Football Federation has at no time tried to protect the group.

"They made a decision without consulting all the players, only on the basis of the 'facts' reported by the press.

"Accordingly, and to mark their opposition to the highest level of French football, all players decided not to participate in the work-out.

"Out of respect for the public who came to attend this session we decided to meet with the fans who, by their presence, bring us full support.

"We are aware of our responsibilities as those who wear the colours of our country but also those that we have towards our fans and countless children who see Les Bleus as role models.

"For our part, we have not forgotten our duties. We will do everything individually and also in a collective spirit to bring honour to France with a positive performance on Tuesday night."

Domenech had stressed earlier in the day that had Anelka apologised he would have allowed him to stay with the squad.

He also played down the seriousness and context of his disagreement with the Chelsea striker.

"It was not a confrontation," said the 57-year-old, whose six-year reign as France boss will end with the country's participation in the South Africa as he is being replaced by 1998 World Cup-winner Laurent Blanc.

"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.

"I had another chat with him (Anelka) the next day and I left open the possibility for him to apologise, something which he did not want to do.

"The decision to exclude him was the right one. He does not have the right to say such things."

In the wake of events today 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.

"Under these conditions, I've decided to return to Paris and to resign."

There had been reports Duverne was the 'mole' who leaked news of the Anelka-Domenech spat to the media but he denied those claims this evening.

Speaking to RMC sports, he said: "I deny reports that Patrice Evra would have said I was the traitor.

"I talked to Raymond Domenech on behalf of the players, including Patrice Evra.

"I have children and I don't want to be sullied by rumours that I am the traitor or the mole."

In explaining his row with Evra today, he added: "Patrice Evra came to tell me that the players were not going to participate in training.

"I was angry because we play a big game in two days and we have no right to destroy our last chance.

"We are in a difficult situation but it is not impossible."