CLAIREFONTAINE // Thierry Henry has urged the French Football Federation (FFF) to back coach Raymond Domenech despite the team's disappointing results.
Domenech, who steered France to the World Cup final in 2006 before they were knocked out in the first round of Euro 2008, is under intense scrutiny and his fate will be decided by the federation's board on Wednesday.
The FFF said before Les Bleus' 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign that Domenech's position would be assessed after the first three qualifying games.
Domanech could not have hoped for a worse start as France fell to a shock 3-1 defeat in Austria before beating Serbia 2-1 at home last month and recovering from two goals down to draw 2-2 in Romania on Saturday. They are fourth in Group Seven, two points adrift of Lithuania and Serbia.
"There is a point when things need to be clear. We must end this debate. If the coach is confirmed, then he is confirmed. You can't confirm someone with conditions," Henry told reporters at France's training camp outside Paris.
"If things were clear, it would be easier."
The Barcelona striker, who captained France in Saturday's game, added that rumours linking the 1998 World Cup winners Laurent Blanc and Didier Deschamps with the France job were destabilising the squad.
"We played for him (Domenech), for us, for French football," Henry insisted.
"There is a fury against the coach and it's not easy for us to deal with it, especially when you need to prepare for such important games."
However, the debate surrounding Domenech spurred France to fight back in Romania, Henry added.
France were 2-0 down after 17 minutes but goals by the inspirational midfielders Franck Ribery and Yoann Gourcuff earned them a much needed point.
"Yesterday [Saturday], there was a particular flavour because we knew we had to come back, for him, for us, for everyone," Henry said.
"Let's try and qualify instead of trying to start controversies ahead of important matches.
"We stand by the coach."
*Reuters
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
Federer's 11 Wimbledon finals
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2005 Beat Andy Roddick
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2012 Beat Andy Murray
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2015 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2017 Beat Marin Cilic
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
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