Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka admits he was ready to quit international football before France's troubled World Cup campaign.
Anelka was at the centre of the playing revolt which engulfed France's doomed campaign in South Africa.
The Chelsea striker was kicked out of the France team for insulting coach Raymond Domenech during the half-time break in the 2-0 defeat by Mexico.
The France players, in support of Anelka, then refused to attend a training session and Les Bleus were eliminated in the first round.
Anelka was handed an 18-game ban for his actions in South Africa, but in an interview with Les Inrocks, he confirmed he had plans to quit the national team anyway.
"The truth is that I told Domenech before the World Cup that I'd quit the France team after the competition whatever was to happen there," Anelka said. "I told him clearly (that I'd quit). They (the federation) want to come out of this situation nicely, showing they have re-established order."
