Domenech (right) chose Anelka to start France's first two games

France striker Nicolas Anelka has been sent home from the World Cup after verbally insulting coach Raymond Domenech during the Mexico game.

The Chelsea star missed training on Saturday after reports of a row with the France coach during their 2-0 loss.

And he later refused to apologise when asked to by French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes.

An FFF statement said the 31-year-old's half-time comments to Domenech were "totally unacceptable".

The statement continued: "Faced by the refusal of the player to publicly apologise, he (Escalettes) took the decision in total agreement with the coach and the official members of the delegation present to exclude Nicolas Anelka from the squad."

France captain Patrice Evra also attended the meeting with Anelka at the French training camp in Knysa.

And Evra accused a "traitor" within the French camp of leaking the story to the media.

"The problem of France is not Anelka, but the traitor among us.

"We must eliminate the traitor from the group because he wants to hurt the team," the Manchester United full-back said.

Anelka, a League and FA Cup double winner with Chelsea this season, has won 71 international caps.

He scored twice on his debut against England in 1999 but later spent three years in the international wilderness after refusing to play for Les Bleus under coach Jacques Santini.

Full story at bbc.co.uk