Share Embattled French coach Raymond Domenech insisted on Tuesday that stories published in the French press about a row between himself and national captain Thierry Henry were ‘lies’.
Domenech was speaking on the eve of the crucial 2010 World Cup qualifier here against Group Seven leaders Serbia, who lead the French by four points after France drew 1-1 at home to Romania last Saturday. Defeat on Wednesday would leave France – who Domenech guided to the 2006 World Cup final – restricted to at best a play-off between the best eight runners-up if they are to make it to South Africa next year.
Domenech, who was jeered by the French fans when his name was announced at the Stade de France last Saturday, was adamant, though, that Monday’s report in Le Parisien stating that Henry had blasted him at the players meeting on the eve of the Romania match was false. “I repeat to you, that since 2004, I do not make any comment on lies in the press,” said Domenech, who replaced Jacques Santini after he left for an ill-fated spell at Spurs.
“There is a game against Serbia on Wednesday, and we are going to try and qualify for the World Cup finals, to take you all (the assembled press) to South Africa. “We are going to do our best against Serbia.”