Domenech To Frey: You’re Not Retiring!

Last week, Frey announced his retirement from international football, and in the process left no doubt as to who was to blame for his decision; Raymond Domenech.

Despite being widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, the 28-year-old has been constantly overlooked by Domenech, and has won just two caps for his country.

Having already been an unused reserve at Euro 2008 behind Gregory Coupet, the last straw for Frey came last week when he was snubbed for France’s friendly against Sweden, with Marseille’s Steve Mandanda and Lyon new-boy Hugo Lloris mysteriously picked in the squad instead.

After announcing his retirement last Thursday, Domenech has finally issued a response, and unsurprisingly, what he had to say will not pass-by unnoticed.

The former Lyon boss made it perfectly clear that Frey had no right to retire from the national team and that only he has the power to grant such privileges.

"The decision of Frey? I have made a note,” Domenech sniped to L’Equipe.

“It is not up to the player to decide when he ends his international career. A player, whether he is 35 or 18, will be selected. It is not up to him to decide [it is my decision].

“There is no law that allows him to decide to stop. There can be a consultation, a meeting, a discussion, an agreement, but in no case can there be a decree by one of the parties."

Domenech’s comments are certain to cause more controversy, and they follow on from a similar situation involving Claude Makelele a few years ago, when then Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho infamously accused Domenech of treating the midfielder “like a slave” after refusing to accept the player’s international retirement.

Anthony Sormani