France Football Federation Claude Simonet has criticised Robert Pires for the Arsenal player’s criticism of international coach Raymond Domenech.
“I was surprised by his words because I have known Robert for a while and I consider him as a son,” Simonet told France Football.
“It distressed me. He has changed, it is obvious.
“He is not any more the Pires I used to know.
“He is at a great club but you should never forget where you came from.
“All that controversy over a coach’s choice, it is a lot. I am sure Raymond Domenech has absolutely nothing against him, except he didn’t appreciate his behaviour during the first half against Cyprus.
“For the moment, I won’t follow it up.
“I will meet the national coach to learn what action we could take. Anyway, I will meet Robert for another problem.
“On October 10, he was live on TV show Telefoot. He was wearing Puma clothes and our sponsors did not appreciate that.
“They are right because they give us enough money to watch their trademark on TV and not the personal player’s one.
“Robert has not sneezed at the money from the contracts signed by FFF. I know he did it knowingly because Robert had his French team shirt on and wore his personal trademarks when he knew he would be on television.
“It is provocation.”
