France's World Cup campaign, crippled by dire performances on the pitch, internalstrife and a players' strike, went from bad to worse when Credit Agricole pulled an advertisingcampaign and sponsors demanded action by the country's football authorities.

The French bank said yesterday it had stopped early the advertisingcampaign, due to run until June 25, "in view of the current controversysurrounding the French national team".

The team's corporate sponsors have held conference calls to voice their anger at the players' refusal to train.

One person who took part in the conference calls said that the sponsors believed the situation was "unacceptable".

France is on the verge of elimination from the tournament, their 2-0 defeat to Mexico on Friday forcing tension between management and players into the open. The French team plays South Africa in its final group game tonight.

The crisis in French football - and the behaviour of the national team in South Africa - has triggered an avalanche of criticism from social commentators and politicians in France. Christine Lagarde, financeminister, said she was "appalled" by the players' behaviour.

It has highlighted, too, the sometimes fragilerelationship between teams, players and their sponsors.

The team's management sent home striker Nicolas Anelka for abusing coach Raymond Domenech during half time in the Mexico game, a move that led to the team's refusal to train on Sunday in protest. Jean-Louis Valentin resigned as team director in disgust at the players' behaviour.