France's chaotic World Cup campaign descended towards a full-scale player revolt this afternoon after the players refused to train in a show of support for the exiled Nicolas Anelka, prompting the national team director, Jean-Louis Valentin, to quit in disgust.

The team arrived at training today but a few minutes after taking the field the fitness coach, Robert Duverne, stormed away, throwing his accreditation badge to the ground, apparently after an argument with the team captain, Patrice Evra.

The players then left the training ground and boarded the team bus, in which they had a meeting with Raymond Domenech behind closed curtains.

The France squad then released a statement which read: "All players in the France squad without exception want to declare their opposition to the decision taken by the French Football Federation to exclude Nicolas Anelka from the squad.

"If we regret the incident which occurred at half-time of the match between France and Mexico, we regret even more the leak of an event which should have remained within the group and which is quite common in a high-level team.

"At the request of the squad the player in question attempted to have dialogue but his approach was ignored. For its part the French Football Federation has at no time tried to protect the squad. It has made a decision [to send Anelka home] without consulting all the players, on the basis of the facts reported by the press.

"Accordingly, and to mark the opposition to those at the highest level of French football, all the players decided not to train today. Out of respect for the public who came to attend training, we decided to go to meet the fans who, by their presence, showed their full support. For our part we are aware of our responsibilities as those wearing the colours of our country; also for those we have towards our fans and countless children who keep Les Bleus as role models.

"We forget none of our duties. We will do everything individually and also in a collective spirit to ensure that France regains its honour with a positive performance on Tuesday."

The statement was read out by Domenech and comes after the squad refused to train.

Valentin announced his resignation after revealing that the squad did not want to train. "Ask the players, they do not want to involve themselves any more. It's unacceptable," Valentin said.

"They don't want to train. It's a scandal for the French, it's a scandal for the federation and the French team. It is a shame. As for me, it's over. I'm leaving the federation. I'm sickened and disgusted. Under these conditions I've decided to return to Paris and to resign."

The French team is in disarray after Anelka was sent home after reports of a foul-mouthed tirade at Domenech, whose tactics and management skills have been called into question.

Domenech justified the decision to send Anelka home, saying the striker had refused to apologise for the outburst.