France and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka reportedly unleashed a volley of insults at coach Raymond Domenech after being criticised at halftime of their 2-0 World Cup loss to Mexico, L'Equipe newspaper reported on Saturday.

Anelka told Domenech to "go screw yourself, dirty son of a whore" in the dressing room at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane after the coach took issue with his first-half performance, the report said.

The tirade was sparked after Domenech told Anelka to stop straying out of position in a match where the striker was one of France's worst performers, L'Equipe said, without citing its source.

When Anelka took issue with the criticism, Domenech threatened to substitute him and the player made his foul-mouthed outburst.

Domenech's response was immediate.

"OK. You're coming off," the coach said, according to the report, and replaced him with Andre-Pierre Gignac for the second half.

But Mexico secured victory with two second-half goals, leaving France - beaten finalists four years ago - staring elimination in the face.

If their Group A rivals Uruguay and Mexico draw in their match on Tuesday, the French are out of the tournament, regardless of their own result against host nation South Africa.

The reported bust-up comes amid a dreadful World Cup for France, whose training camp has reportedly been riven with disputes between Domenech and his players.

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