Paris – The French football federation has sent a letter of dismissal to former coach Raymond Domenech, who remains on the payroll as an employee of the federation's training staff, a source told AFP.
According to media reports, the reason for his sacking was given as “gross misconduct” linked to his actions as coach of France at the World Cup in South Africa.
Under French law, dismissal for gross misconduct means the 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.
Domenech was criticised for events leading up to and his handling of the sending home from the World Cup of Nicolas Anelka for his foul-mouthed outburst against the then-coach, and the team's one-day strike in protest at the striker's expulsion.
Domenech – who guided France to the 2006 World Cup final where they lost on penalties to Italy – was also heavily criticised by French Football Federation caretaker president Fernand Duchaussoy on July 23 for refusing to shake South Africa counterpart Carlos Alberto Parreira's hand at the end of the final group match, a 2-1 victory for South Africa.
He also criticised Domenech for not informing then FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes of what had taken place between himself and Anelka.
Anelka, along with captain Patrice Evra, vice-captain Franck Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan all received varying bans for their role.
France lost two and drew one of their matches in South Africa, going out of the competition in the group stages. It was at half-time in the 2-0 defeat to Mexico that Anelka launched his tirade against Domenech.
When it was reported in the pages of sports daily L'Equipe two days later, Anelka was sent home. – Sapa-AFP