Pires criticises DomenechArsenal midfielder Robert Pires has delivered a verbal assault at France national coach Raymond Domenech, whose side were held to a 0-0 draw by the Republic or Ireland in their recent World Cup qualifier in Paris. Pires, in the most recent issue of France Football, did not mince his words.
He was recently substituted during France's 2-0 win over Cyprus in Nicosia and clearly did not appreciate it.
He said: "If the match had taken place at the Stade de France I would not have stayed (in the stadium). I would have walked out, vexed, annoyed, destabilised, anything you want."
He compared Domenech unfavourably to Arsene Wenger, his manager at Arsenal. "In England I am lucky to have Arsene Wenger who knows me, who knows where to place me and the others with the best possible chance of success. Between us there is a total confidence which does not exist elsewhere. With the national team that's not the case yet."
Referring to Domenech, the Arsenal player said: "Nothing in his attitude leads me to believe he has confidence in me. It's like being at school, being 20 and just starting out as a footballer. We need Domenech to give us freedom because he gets on our nerves with his attitudes, his words, his remarks."
FA undecided on Mutu's fate
The English Football Association yesterday refused to confirm reports that Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu has been charged for failing a drugs test. Mutu, who failed a random test last month, has not been suspended by his club and, so far, the governing body have yet to act.
The 25-year-old Romania captain originally told the English Professional Footballer's Association he had taken cocaine but later claimed he had taken a substance which would help improve his sexual performance.
Mutu has also agreed to undergo counselling sessions as part of a rehabilitation programme in a bid to escape a long-term ban from the game.
No date has yet been set for the hearing but Mutu could get a ban anywhere between six months to two years.
The FA could also choose to impose a lengthy rehabilitation instead of an outright ban but that is unlikely given the sport's recent crackdown on the use of drugs.
In Brief . . .
Championship side Burnley have signed former Republic of Ireland under-21 midfielder James O'Connor from West Brom on a month's loan . . . Charlton Athletic made a net profit of £11.1 million last year - due almost entirely to the £10-million sale of Scott Parker to Chelsea in January . . . Despite having already played for the England under-21 side, Charlton striker Jason Euell is set to be named in the Jamaica squad to play United States in a World Cup qualifier on November 18th . . . Former Liverpool midfielder Jan Molby has resigned as director of football at bottom-of-table League Two side Kidderminster Harriers.
