Do not judge me yet, says France's Domenech

France coach Raymond Domenech said he should not be judged yet.

"You never have any excuses when you don't qualify but before you accuse us wait until we have committed a crime," Domenech told reporters.

The 54-year-old has ignored the criticism he has received since taking over from Jacques Santini after France's quarter-final exit from Euro 2004.

Domenech came under fire for saving his first comments for one of the team's sponsors, a mobile phone operator, after naming his World Cup squad last month.

More negative headlines followed France's dull draws with Switzerland and South Korea.

Domenech has also been criticised for making a strange move in added time against South Korea on Sunday, taking off captain Zinedine Zidane and sending on David Trezeguet for a few seconds.

Zidane walked past Domenech without a look on his way to the dressing rooms. The grey-haired coach shrugged off suggestions that relations between him and Zidane had become tense.

"That's pure speculation," said Domenech. "I've been reading that for two years. I don't mind."