According to the paper, the players took action because they felt they had been denied a share in the profits from two of their pre-World Cup friendlies, against Argentina in Geneva and Denmark.
They accused the management of Lucidio Ribeiro, proprietor of the pan-African magazine Afrique Football, of taking the money and forgetting about them.
The management allegedly collected $75,000 in Geneva, where the Argentina game took place, and $100,000 in Vienna.
The players were apparently going to strike in Geneva, but were placated by some of the older members of the team.
In addition, players who were not yet sure of their place in the 23 for Japan were at that point afraid to take any action that could lead to their exclusion for indiscipline.
But, when the final squad got together in Paris, it seems the 23 confirmed Lions decided to put their grievances forward, demanding "all premiums before departure".