French football chief confirms Domenech dismissal

French football chief Fernand Duchaussoy confirmed here Monday that former national coach Raymond Domenech has been sacked for “gross misconduct”.

Domenech’s contract as manager of Les Bleus came to an end after the former world champion’s disastrous World Cup campaign, but he had remained on the payroll of the French Football Federation.

Duchaussoy, confirming news of the sacking that first surfaced on Sunday, said: “Raymond Domenech received his letter of dismissal for gross misconduct with no negotiation on Friday.

“If he wishes he has the right to lodge an appeal before the courts. But considering the clauses in the contract I would be shocked by that.”

Domenech was charged with a number of faults, including refusing to shake the hand of South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira after the hosts’ 2-1 win over France in South Africa.

Duchaussoy also accused Domenech “of failing to warn the (FFF) president (at the time Jean-Pierre Escalettes) who was there in person of the events which took place at half-time in the France-Mexico game.”

The acting president of the FFF was making reference to Nicolas Anelka’s foul-mouthed tirade at Domenech which led to the Chelsea striker being sent home in disgrace and his teammates’ infamous training strike.

Domenech was also under fire for reading out a letter written by the players explaining their decision to strike to the world’s media, a statement that was critical of the FFF.

Duchaussoy, in Sarajevo for France’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Bosnia on Tuesday, has known and worked with the man he has just fired for many years.

He reflected: “Domenech, I worked with him when I was involved in amateur football and I never had a problem with him, but now, with this affair, I’ve signed his letter of dismissal.

“I never saw myself one day sacking Raymond Domenech, but there you are.”

Under French law, dismissal for gross misconduct means the person sacked has no rights to severance pay – believed to be between 300,000 to 500,000 euros – although he can dispute the reasons for the charge before an industrial tribunal.

Anelka, captain Patrice Evra, vice-captain Franck Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan have all received varying bans for their role in the South African debacle.

France lost two and drew one of their matches in South Africa, going out of the competition in the first round group stage.