Raymond Domenech has some ’splainin to do

For someone who looks a lot like a college professor, France manager Raymond Domenech often comes off as having something less than an elementary school education. Domenech opened his mouth last week and let the world know that Italian football is corrupt and that the Italians bought the referees in a France and Italy U-21 Olympic match in 2000 in which Domenech was the coach.

Whether the accusation is the truth or not it is a bold statement to make. It is little wonder that UEFA is now looking for further clarification from Domenech or they will charge him with “unsporting behavior”.

“We’re going to send a letter to the French federation so that Mr Domenech provides us with proof of what he says, and if there is no proof we will penalize him,” warned UEFA boss Michel Platini.

Domenech is naturally entitled to his opinions and he may even be right about the match fixing. The question is why he didn’t bring the accusation forth sooner and why he didn’t make it through the proper channels instead of in a media interview. You don’t think it has anything to do with gamesmanship ahead of next month’s France-Italy Euro 2008 qualifier, do you?