TNT Sports
French Fed backs Domenech
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Published 02/09/2005 at 16:58 GMT+1
French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes denied having said that Raymond Domenech would be sacked if the team failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup."I have always supported Raymond," Escalettes added. "I called him to explain the sit
Eurosport
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"I did not say that Raymond Domenech would be sacked if France did not qualify," Escalettes told Reuters, saying he had been misquoted in an interview with French daily France-Soir published Friday
France face a struggle to qualify for the finals in Germany. They lie fourth in the tightly-bunched Group Four with 10 points from six games, with leaders Ireland on 13 points from seven games.
The former world and European champions, in an upbeat mood since the return of inspirational playmaker Zinedine Zidane, host the Faroe Islands on Saturday before playing Ireland in Dublin on Wednesday.
Domenech has a contract saying his mission is to lead the team to the World Cup finals in Germany. His contract does not mention what will happen if France do not qualify and does not even specify what will happen if France do qualify.
"If we are eliminated, which I don't think will happen, the federal council (of the FFF) will meet and we will decide what happens next," Escalettes said.
"If we do qualify, the council will decide whether we continue with the same coach until and during the World Cup. The man who will have steered the team to the finals will be ideally placed to stay in charge".
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