Domenech slates Henry critics

Domenech: Defensive of captain

Related links

Teams

• France

Players

• Thierry Henry

Also see

• Fixtures and Results
• Group Tables
• Galleries
• Top Tens

France boss Raymond Domenech has slammed the critics of Thierry Henry following his handball controversy.

Henry admittedly handled the ball in the build-up to William Gallas' extra-time goal which sent France through to the World Cup at the expense of the Republic of Ireland.

The manner in which they qualified for the tournament, which is to be held in South Africa next summer, drew heavy criticism of the national side in the French media last week.

With Henry and Domenech the key figures of ridicule, the France coach has previously voiced his plans to remain in charge and has now leapt to the defence of his captain Henry.

"It made me furious that Thierry can be treated this way," Domenech told l'express.fr.

"I have not slept for two days and I am just starting to get over it.

"When France were given an unjustified red card against the Serbs, Serbia did not launch a campaign to denigrate our team."

Replay

The Football Association of Ireland requested a replay of the game, which was immediately rebuffed by world governing body Fifa.

Henry has admitted he considered retiring from international football following the uproar, but Domenech does not believe he was ever likely do so.

"No, I do not think so," he said. "But when I called, he was like all of us - surprised, stunned. I have tremendous respect for him as a man and a footballer.

"Titi (Henry) is one of the most talented players in the history of French football.

"We qualified for the World Cup.

"For months now, despite his injury, he participated in all our matches at the risk of being yelled at by his club, Barcelona.

"Les Bleus is his reason for living as a footballer."

The goal sparked mass debate over whether the game should be replayed and whether video technology could be used to determine difficult decisions.

However, Domenech admits a replay was never likely and insists the problem does not lie with the honesty of players, but with the quality of refereeing.

He added: "No, it would have been impossible (a replay). Or it should be done after every incident that goes unpunished.

"Let's solve the problem of refereeing - that is the real debate."

Criticism

French football legends Eric Cantona and Bixente Lizarazu are the latest high-profile pair to point the finger at Domenech, but the 57-year-old remains unfazed by their criticism.

He said: "I put Cantona in the same batch as the others. He is coach of a beach soccer team and failed to qualify his team for the World Cup. He should show decency."

A World Cup winner with the French in 1998, Lizarazu traded heated words with Domenech on live radio in their homeland, and the latter refuses to accept criticism from the inexperienced Lizarazu.

"It's nice, the lessons of Bixente Lizarazu. It is fun, he won something and I'm happy for him, but he must not forget that he too has experienced difficult times - in 2002, for example.

"Lizarazu also claims that I refuse to talk football, tactically and technically. He is wrong. I speak, but with my players, not with him.

"Anyway, he does not ask questions, he merely gives advice.

"Former players who act as coaches and have never coached a team leave me indifferent."