Domenech lawyers in talks over dismissal

Lawyers representing sacked former France coach Raymond Domenech have opened “negotiations” with the French Football Federation (FFF) concerning his dismissal, a source close to the case revealed yesterday.

“Domenech’s lawyers wanted to make contact with the lawyers from the federation,” the source told AFP, adding that talks had begun “very recently”.

“The lawyers are talking to each other, and you can call the discussions negotiations.”

Domenech was sacked for “serious error” in September, after presiding over a disastrous World Cup campaign that saw France’s players boycott a training session before they were eliminated at the group stage.

He was also criticised by the FFF for failing to shake hands with South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira after France’s final game in the competition, a 2-1 defeat by the hosts.

Under French law, dismissal for serious error means the person sacked has no right to severance pay, although he or she can dispute the reasons for the charge before an industrial tribunal.

“If he wishes, he has the right to lodge an appeal before the courts. But considering the clauses in the contract, I would be shocked by that,” said FFF interim president Fernand Duchaussoy last month.

Concerning a potential financial settlement, the source said that the terms of any agreement would have to be “very, very reasonable” for the FFF to accept them.