France resumes World Cup training day after strike

KNYSNA, South Africa (AP) — France resumed training at the World Cup on Monday, one day after the squad went on strike to protest the French soccer federation’s decision to send striker Nicolas Anelka home.

Monday’s session went ahead without any of the drama of Sunday, when captain Patrice Evra had an altercation with the team’s physical trainer, one FFF official resigned, and coach Raymond Domenech was put in the embarrassing position of explaining why the players were on strike.

Anelka was thrown out because his clash with Domenech at halftime of last Thursday’s 2-0 loss to Mexico was made public by sports daily L’Equipe, which published Anelka’s expletives on its front page.

France plays South Africa on Tuesday and must win to stand any chance of reaching the next round. If Mexico and Uruguay draw the other Group A match, France will be eliminated.

France defender Marc Planus sustained a slight knock on his right knee and had to cut short his training session. The injury was not thought to be serious, team spokesman Francois Manardo said.