French winger Florent Malouda insisted on Tuesday rumours he had been left out of the starting line-up in the opening World Cup Group A match with Uruguay was because of a heated row with coach Raymond Domenech were wrong.

The 30-year-old Chelsea star - who has had several public bust-ups with the French coach in the past six years notably at Euro 2008 - was a surprise omission from the starting XI in the 0-0 draw with the Uruguyans having played an important role in the warm-up matches.

However, Malouda - a member of the side that reached the 2006 World Cup final - was adamant that an incident at training on the eve of the match had not forced Domenech's hand in punishing him by leaving him out as had been reported by several media outlets.

"Honestly, we did not have a row," said the former Lyon player, who is widely believed to be certain to start in the second match against Mexico on Thursday.

"On the eve of the Uruguay match I committed two fouls during the training session, he (Domenech) raised his voice, he believed I was being overly aggressive, but there was no shouting match, we moved on to other things, and I am trying to be ready for the next game," added the French Guyana-born Malouda.

Malouda denied he had committed the fouls after learning that he was not going to start against Uruguay.

"No, during this session, I took two free kicks that hit a player, who was in the starting line-up," he explained.

Malouda, who was an integral part of the Chelsea side that won the 'double' last season, was also at pains to deny another reason for his absence from the team which was selected for the Uruguay match was over a difference of opinion on his position.

"I never asked for anything, I am surprised at what came out in the press," said Malouda.

"I have always accepted to play in whatever position has been allocated to me.

"I have never refused, you can ask the coach."

Malouda, who once laid into Domenech by saying that at Euro 2008 he had been selected for a place to the left of the substitutes bench, said he did not know whether he would start against the Mexicans.

"Honestly, there has been no discussion, it is above all about recuperating at the moment. Nothing has been defined, the coach has not yet made his choices."

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