European Football

By Patrick Vignal

CLAIREFONTAINE, France, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Defender Philippe Mexes said on Sunday he was to blame for France's humiliating 3-1 defeat by Austria in a World Cup qualifier.

Mexes added that the players stood by embattled coach Raymond Domenech, who managed to keep his job after his side's group-stage exit from Euro 2008 but still faces an uncertain future.

Mexes was involved in the first goal conceded by the World Cup runners-up on Saturday in Vienna and was responsible for the penalty that enabled Austria to seal their first victory over France in 38 years.

French media reacted to the defeat by saying Domenech would be axed if France failed to beat Serbia in their next Group Seven qualifier on Wednesday in Paris.

Mexes said, however, that Domenech could not be held responsible for what happened in a match in which Austria hardly created a chance outside three set pieces that led to as many goals.

"I accept responsibility for my mistakes," the AS Roma player told reporters. "What happened was more my fault than the coach's fault. All the players trust him."

The 26-year-old, who had been left out of France's Euro 2008 squad, said he realised he would probably not play against Serbia. "I'll accept whatever choice the coach makes," he said.

Domenech, who had fielded a rejuvenated side in the hope they would rise to the occasion, did not meet the press on Sunday at the team's base outside Paris.

COACH'S FATE

Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda did and said, like Mexes, that he believed the coach's fate would not be decided by the outcome of France's next game.

"I wouldn't say his job will be on the line," Mandanda said. "The players and the coach share the same goal which is to qualify and we can still do that."

France, who left Euro 2008 with just one point and one goal from three matches, have conceded five goals in their last two outings, the previous being a 3-2 win over Sweden in a friendly last month.

"I hate conceding goals and I have conceded quite a few lately," said Mandanda, who took over from Gregory Coupet as France's number one after the Euro 2008 flop.

"However, against Austria, I didn't have a save to make and still conceded three goals," he added. "Set pieces were the problem. That's something we need to work on but pitying ourselves wouldn't help. We have another match to play."