Mutiny in the air as World Cup bounty frays nerves

Paris: The World Cup is meant to be the pinnacle of every footballer`s dream. But instead of proving

to be a rallying call for unity in pursuit of that goal the 2010 edition has more an air of mutiny about it. Hosts South Africa, 1998 winners and 2006 finalists France, perennial contenders England and now eliminated Cameroon have all indulged in infighting when their energies would have been better focused on their next rivals. South Africa and France face each other in a must win Group A match on Tuesday but it is questionable whether either side will be able to turn out XI players and if they will be singing from the same hymn sheet. The French are in openly mutinous mood with their survival hopes already hanging by a thread with just a point from their first two matches. But it doesn`t appear to matter as much to the players as to the manner in which recalcitrant striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home in disgrace after a foul mouthed tirade of abuse at coach Raymond Domenech. On Sunday, the players made their point by refusing to take part in a public training session. Amid chaotic scenes at the team`s training base - named rather ironically the `Field of Dreams` - the players released a statement protesting at the Chelsea striker`s exclusion from the squad for his outburst during the defeat to Mexico. "All the players in the French squad without exception wish to affirm their opposition to the decision taken by the French Football Federation to exclude Nicolas Anelka," said the statement. However, the sole consolation for the embattled Domenech is that the South African camp is likewise none too happy. Players from the eastern kwaZulu-Natal province are allegedly unhappy with what they consider to be underperforming `superstars` from Johannesburg and Pretoria clubs. It is significant that the `unhappy campers` include defender Siyabonga Sangweni, midfielders Macbeth Sibaya and Thanduyise Khuboni and striker Siyabonga Nomvete. None has been given a minute on the field in either Group A game and Sibaya went against a trend of politically correct comments at news conferences after the Uruguay humiliation. "I believe we could have done better when it comes to fighting spirit. There are times when you have to make sacrifices, get stuck in and do some dirty work," said the Russia-based midfield `enforcer`. "Uruguay are a very physical team who can be dirty and provoke opponents and we need footballers with more character. It will be like climbing Mount Everest against France, but we must do whatever is possible." England may not have lost yet but their two draws have failed to capture the imagination not only of their fans and the media but also seemingly the players too. Former skipper John Terry on Sunday intimated that previously untouchable coach Fabio Capello could be in for an earbashing on Sunday evening. "I see Nico (Anelka) was sent home for voicing his opinion and maybe a few of us will be sent home after this evening.” "If we feel something has to change, we owe it to the country and the manager to say it in that meeting tonight. If it upsets him or any other player, so what." At least Terry can still entertain hopes of winning the trophy, whereas Cameroon`s elimination on Saturday probably means the hopes of African great Samuel Eto`o ever doing are over as he will be 33 come the next edition in Brazil. Cameroon federation president Iya Mohammed hinted at some dissent in the squad ahead of the Denmark match. "Whatever the problems are between the players, I don`t think there`s anyone who wants to betray the country by not doing their job,” Many in France would question that assumption given their own players` actions on Sunday. Bureau Report