France and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka reportedly unleashed a volley of insults at Coach Raymond Domenech after being criticised at halftime of their 2-0 World Cup loss to Mexico, L'Equipe newspaper reported on Saturday.
Anelka told Domenech to "go screw yourself, dirty son of a whore" in the dressing room at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane after the coach took issue with his first-half performance, the report said.
The tirade was sparked after Domenech told Anelka to stop straying out of position in a match where the striker was one of France's worst performers, L'Equipe said, without citing its source.
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When Anelka took issue with the criticism, Domenech threatened to substitute him and the player made his foul-mouthed outburst.
Domenech's response was immediate. "OK. You're coming off," the coach said, according to the report, and replaced him with Andre-Pierre Gignac for the second half.
But Mexico secured victory with two second-half goals, leaving France - beaten finalists four years ago - staring elimination in the face.
If their Group A rivals Uruguay and Mexico draw in their match on Tuesday, the French are out of the tournament, regardless of their own result against host nation South Africa.
The reported bust-up comes amid a dreadful World Cup for France, whose training camp has reportedly been riven with disputes between Domenech and his players.
