Sarkozy, Henry discuss France flop

President Nicolas Sarkozy held a face-to-face meeting with Thierry Henry after Les Bleus' humiliating exit from the World Cup turned into a national issue the government has vowed to address.

24 June 2010, 12:00am

1 min read

On Wednesday Sarkozy had called for a wholesale review of French football after chairing a government meeting, while Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot said on Thursday "the resignation of French Federation chairman, Jean-Pierre Escalettes was unavoidable".

France's campaign, marred by infighting and the boycott of a training session, ended on Tuesday with a 2-1 defeat by hosts South Africa that left them bottom of Group A without a win.

The meeting between Sarkozy and Henry was arranged at the request of Les Bleus' team captain, a government spokesman said.

Henry, who has 123 caps to his name and is France's most prolific scorer with 51 goals, went straight to the Elysee Palace in an official car escorted by the police after the team landed at Paris Le Bourget business airport.

He entered the presidential palace through a side door far from the photographers and cameramen who were waiting for him at the main entrance.