It's spin control time for England, France

The France and England soccer coaches tried to regain control of their teams Monday after player revolts and winless starts to their World Cup campaigns.

The French squad resumed training two days after striking following Nicolas Anelka's expulsion for insulting coach Raymond Domenech at halftime of the 2-0 loss to Mexico. A day after the England team met to dissect its scoreless draw with Algeria, manager Fabio Capello told the British Broadcasting Corp. that although some players may be unhappy, the team was "here to play at the World Cup, not for a holiday."

France has lost control of its tournament after a 0-0 tie with Uruguay and the defeat to Mexico. The French will be eliminated today if they lose to host South Africa in their last group game, or if Uruguay and Mexico draw their match. To move on, England must beat Group C leader Slovenia tomorrow after a 1-1 tie with the U.S. and the draw with Algeria.

Domenech read a statement from the team two days ago, after it refused to train explaining that the players opposed the French Football Federation's decision to send Anelka home.

"I tried to convince the players for 45 minutes that what they were trying to do was stupid, that it was an imbecility," he said Sunday night at a televised news conference. "I thought the French had the right to know, since this was all playing out in view of the cameras. So that's why I read the statement. In no way did that mean that I supported their attitude."

Anelka was ejected from the camp for refusing to apologize to Domenech after arguing with the coach at halftime of the June 17 loss to Mexico.

"The sanction against Anelka is justified," Domenech added. "I support the decision. A player is not allowed to act like that, whether it's in the dressing room or elsewhere."

France had been under scrutiny before the World Cup, after former captain Laurent Blanc was appointed to replace Domenech before the start of the tournament. The 1998 world champion scraped into the finals with a playoff victory over Ireland that was earned after striker Thierry Henry admitted to handling the ball to set up the decisive goal.

England's situation came to a head when defender and former captain John Terry said the players would give the manager advice during a previously scheduled meeting after the two ties.

"As a group of experienced players, we owe to ourselves, our country and the manager to be honest," Terry said. "If we feel in that meeting tonight things need to change, everyone needs to voice their opinion. If it upsets him or any other player, so what?"