Raymond Domenech served out his suspension in the stands, the
France coach serving a touchline ban as his team faced Italy in
last night's San Siro stalemate. However, Italian FA (FIGC)
president Giancarlo Abete reveals that he saw Domenech in a locker
room prior to the match - an illegal move for Domenech, if
true...
Italian FA president Giancarlo Abete claims that Raymond Domenech
was illegally in a locker room prior to last night's match between
France and Italy at the San Siro.
The French manager had been suspended from matchday duty following
remarks made about Italian football to the French press, with his
ban extending to locker rooms, technical facilities and, above all,
the dugout.
So he was to watch the match from the stands, which he did.
However, Abete contends that, before the game, he was out of
bounds.
The president said, "I saw Domenech in the locker rooms before the
match when I was there. We weren't that bothered about what he was
doing, but I did bump into him."
Domenech had said before the game that he had worked out a
pre-emptive system of decisions with his assistant, Pierre
Mankowski, that would keep him away from the techical areas.
If the allegations by Abete turn out to be true, Domenech could
face further punishment from UEFA.
So, too, could Italy, albeit for different reasons. The French
national anthem was jeered by considerable sections of the home
support - an incident that left Abete red-faced.
He added, "We need to get this kick of thing out of our sporting
culture."
Perhaps with more than a touch of 'they started it', he sniffed,
"It's a shame, considering that, before and during the game, our
players were brilliant at not falling into the trap of
provocation."
