France coach rues decision not to award penalty

By Patrick Vignal

BERNE (Reuters) - Coach Raymond Domenech said France should have had a penalty at a key moment in their 4-1 thrashing by a flamboyant Dutch side at Euro 2008 on Friday.

The 2006 World Cup finalists, who had started with a dismal 0-0 draw with Romania, are now in real danger of not surviving Group C, the toughest in the tournament.

Domenech said France, who had not lost by such a margin at a finals since a 5-2 defeat by Brazil in the 1958 World Cup semi-finals, should have had a penalty when a Thierry Henry drive was blocked by defender Andre Ooijer on 48 minutes, with the Dutch leading 1-0.

German referee Herbert Fandel ignored French claims for handball and play continued.

"We did try but poor finishing, the opponents' goalkeeper and the refereeing stopped us from scoring the goal that could have put us back into the match," Domenech told reporters.

"It's a pity we didn't have video. I don't like looking for excuses but this is not an excuse, it was an arm."

France, who now need to beat Italy and hope Romania do not upset the Dutch, created many more chances than against Romania, when they had just one shot on target in the whole match.

They were let down though by their usually solid defence, who failed to block the swift Dutch counter-attacks.