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French football chief quits

Paris - Jean-Pierre Escalettes resigned on Monday as French Football Federation (FFF) president following France's chaotic World Cup finals campaign.

The 75-year-old went into the finals in South Africa on a high after heading up the successful bid for France to host the 2016 European Championship finals.

However, his position became untenable after a succession of problems hit the French World Cup campaign with striker Nicolas Anelka being sent home in disgrace after a foul mouthed outburst at coach Raymond Domenech, a player's strike and a first round exit which saw them finish bottom of the group.

Escalettes, whose head had been called for by French Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot, said that he had had no choice but to resign after consultations with friends and colleagues.

"After a weekend of reflection during which I consulted with my fellow elected colleagues, my collaborators and my close friends and family, I consider it my duty to resign as President of the French Football Federation," he said.

"I will submit my resignation at the next Federal Council meeting on July 2 (Friday).

"I will remain at the disposal of everyone to analyse the reasons for the fiasco surrounding the French team in South Africa.

"I will develop on these different points on Friday before my colleagues on the Federal Council."

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