France coach Raymond Domenech has described the French players' refusal to train in protest at Nicolas Anelka's expulsion from the World Cup squad as "unspeakably stupid".
Domenech also said he fully supported the decision taken by the French football federation (FFF) to banish the controversial Chelsea star as punishment for his foul-mouthed outburst at the coach during the 2-0 defeat to Mexico.
"First of all I would like to say that the sanction against Nicolas Anelka is justified. I support the federation in this decision," Domenech told reporters in Bloemfontein ahead of Tuesday's clash with South Africa.
"Nobody can behave in such a way in the dressing room or elsewhere and high-level sportsmen and women have to lead by example through football."
Domenech was appearing alone at the team's pre-match press conference, despite the custom usually requiring the presence of the captain.
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However, skipper Patrice Evra was nowhere to be seen.
The Manchester United defender had been at the centre of Sunday's drama when the squad refused to train at their base in Knysna.
He then had a shouting match with France's fitness coach Robert Duverne before the scheduled session, leading Domenech to intervene.
A furious Duverne stormed off and threw his stopwatch across the pitch in frustration, in full view of TV cameras.
When asked why he was on his own at the media conference, Domenech offered only a cryptic reply, demanding acceptable behaviour from his captain on the pitch.
"All I expect of the players and what the French people are expecting of them is not excuses and more words but behaviour and results on the pitch," he said.
"My responsibility is to prepare them for tomorrow's game and that's all that counts.
"They will have to play their hearts out tomorrow on the pitch and we can still dream at this stage," he said.
France must defeat South Africa on Tuesday and hope that the game between Uruguay and Mexico does not end in a stalemate to allow them to squeeze into the last 16.
