Domenech - Anelka Could Have Stayed If He Apologised

France manager Raymond Domenech has revealed that Nicolas Anelka could have stayed with the National team had he apologised, something the striker refused to do.

"I had another chat with him and left open the possibility for him to apologise. [That was] something which he did not want to do."


Yesterday the Chelsea striker was sent home from the World Cup after allegedly swearing at Domenech during the France-Mexico game.

But the 56-year-old insists the whole incident was blown out of proportion by the media.

"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."

France's fate in the World Cup is out of their hands. They need to be hosts South Africa on Tuesday and hope Uruguay and Mexico don't draw their match.