The French Football Federation have been unable to agree on a replacement for departing president Jean-Pierre Escalettes who, despite officially resigning from his role today after accepting responsibility for the national team’s failings, will now remain in place for the next three weeks.

POLITICIANS involved in yesterday’s closed-door hearing about France’s World Cup fiasco grumbled that Raymond Domenech refused to take any responsibility for his team’s misbehaviour and offered no explanations.

A THREAT by FIFA yesterday to ban France’s national and club teams from international competition if the government did not stay out of soccer affairs failed to stop political debate over France’s World Cup debacle.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter today revealed he has apologised to England over Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal and admitted the world’s governing body will now be forced to look again at goal-line technology.

FRENCH Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes has shouldered the blame for a disastrous World Cup campaign after confirming he will resign from his post.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has signed a new one-year extension to his current contract just days after being sent home from the World Cup.

Thierry Henry has arrived for his lunchtime summit with French president Nicolas Sarkozy with Les Bleus’ abject failure at the World Cup the only subject on the agenda.

FLORENT MALOUDA fears the French players may always have to live with the shame of a chaotic World Cup campaign.

French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes will host a meeting next month to investigate the nation's dismal World Cup campaign.

FRANCE coach Raymond Domenech insisted last night the decision to send Nicolas Anelka home was the correct one.

France’s woeful World Cup campaign continues on a downward spiral after the French Football Federation (FFF) announced there would be an official investigation following a player boycott yesterday.

France striker Nicolas Anelka has been sent home from the World Cup after after refusing to apologise for his half-time rant at coach Raymond Domenech.

PERHAPS the biggest surprise about France’s toothless defeat to Mexico, which leaves their World Cup fate out of their hands, is that it came as no surprise at all.

France were today named by UEFA as the hosts of the 2016 European Championships.

France midfielder Lassana Diarra will miss the World Cup with a stomach problem.

THE France squad got some shooting practice in yesterday – but not the type they’ll be making at the World Cup finals next month.

Laurent Blanc is set to become France coach after the French Football Federation reached an agreement with Bordeaux for him to take over after the World Cup finals.

Laurent Blanc is set to succeed Raymond Domenech as France coach after the World Cup, having confirmed his departure from Bordeaux today.

Guy Chambily, a member of the French Football Federation’s federal council, is resigned to Raymond Domenech being in charge at the World Cup but admits the France coach’s departure is still a “dream”.

Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc has rubbished reports that he has agreed in principle to take over as France coach.

France coach Raymond Domenech will remain at the helm for the World Cup following a lengthy debate by the French football federation board today.

Former France coach Michel Hidalgo has claimed FIFA’s decision not to name France as one of the eight top seeds for next summer’s World Cup might have been punishment for Thierry Henry’s handball.

SHAMEFUL. Disgusting. Outrageous. French fans were on the radio and the internet within moments of the end of the match on Wednesday night, and the condemnation of the way France qualified was continuing last night.

There was plenty of sympathy for the Republic of Ireland in the French media this morning after the controversial extra-time goal that denied them a place in next summer’s World Cup finals.

Former manager Gerard Houllier believes France have a "50-50 chance" of qualifying for South Africa following today's draw which pits them against the Republic of Ireland.

France may submit a joint bid with Italy to host Euro 2016, secretary for sport Bernard Laporte has revealed.

Raymond Domenech has been given the green light to continue as France coach.

Raymond Domenech received a stay of execution on Thursday after it was announced he will remain as coach of France.

FORMER Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier — widely tipped for the vacant Ireland manager’s job last night reaffirmed his commitment to the France Football Federation after he was linked with the vacant Newcastle manager’s job.

THE Football Association and FIFA have insisted the punishment handed out to Marco Materazzi for insulting Zinedine Zidane does not set any new precedent.

ZINEDINE ZIDANE and Marco Materazzi face judgment day today with FIFA disciplinary chiefs set to decide on any punishments for the incident in the World Cup final which led to Zidane’s sending-off.

Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi face judgement day tomorrow with FIFA disciplinary chiefs set to decide on any punishments for the incident in the World Cup final which led to Zidane’s sending-off.

The French football federation (FFF) have announced their unanimous decision to renew the contract of coach Raymond Domenech after he led Les Bleus to the World Cup final.

DAMIEN DUFF last night gave Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr a headache he didn’t need in the shape of a knee injury as his squad assembled in Dublin ahead of next week’s World Cup clash with France.

Former England manager Glenn Hoddle looks to be out of the running to be France coach.