France coach Raymond Domenech has admitted he would have been prepared to allow Nicolas Anelka remain with the squad had he apologised for his part in the row which led to the forward being sent home from the World Cup.

Anelka's stay in South Africa was cut short on Saturday when he was disciplined by the French Football Federation after reports of his dressing-room bust-up were leaked to the media. The 31-year-old was offered the opportunity to say sorry but refused.

Domenech told French television station TF1: "I had a chat with him the next day and I left open the possibility for him to apologise, something which he did not want to do."