Sack Domenech for Parreira snub – Thiriez

Raymond Domenech should be sacked from the French Football Federation (FFF) for refusing to shake South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira’s hand at the World Cup, a top official claimed here on Tuesday.

Domenech has been accused of unsporting conduct and setting a bad image after blanking Parreira at the end of South Africa’s 2-1 win which brought France’s disastrous World Cup campaign to an end.

That was Domenech’s last act as manager of Les Bleus before handing over to former Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc, although he remains on the FFF payroll.

Frederic Thiriez, president of the French Professional League, in an interview with AFP, commented: “For me, one single deed is sufficient to justify it (Domenech’s sacking) – the refusal to shake a colleague’s hand.

“It’s such a negative, harmful image of French football to the whole world and to kids in particular, that it justifies him being fired.”

He added: “It’s not my responsibility, nor that of the board of directors, it’s up to the FFF president, Fernand Duchaussoy to take this decision in line with the proper procedures.”

Domenech when tackled on his controversial snub, explained that he had refused Parreira’s hand in retaliation at comments the Brazilian had made after Thierry Henry’s handball in the World Cup play-off against Ireland.

When Duchaussoy was appointed last month he commented on Domenech: “Unacceptable unethical situations were committed, for example not shaking the hand of a rival coach, and not to warn the president (Jean-Pierre Escalettes) who was on site, of the events that took place at half-time of the France v Mexico match.”

He was referring to Nicolas Anelka’s foul-mouthed dressing room tirade at Domenech in France’s second group game which resulted in the Chelsea striker being kicked out of the squad in disgrace.

That triggered the infamous player revolt with all of France’s remaining 22-man squad refusing to train in support of Anelka before their final game against hosts South Africa.

Duchaussoy added that he would “reproach” Domenech and “take the consequences”.

“If he wants to resign I don’t think I will oppose him,” he added.