IT WAS a case of watching them watching us yesterday as L'Equipedid a round-up on their website of the international reaction to France's elimination from the World Cup. Denunciatory headlines from Spain, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Britain and Portugal were noted, before they spotted one more: "Obviously, it is in Ireland that the strongest headlines were found – 'Farcical French Crash and Burn,' said The Irish Times."

With its front page unhappily adorned by an Adidas ad featuring Yohann Gourcuff – the French player who was sent off yesterday – L'Equipewas in no mood to quibble. "Journey to the End of Hell" read their headline, their feelings evidently matching those of Gervais Martel, vice president of the French Football Federation, who they quoted as declaring: "This situation is catastrophic – on est dans la merde". Or, "We're in the poo," to be polite about it.

Catastrophique was, well, the mot du jour. Franck Leboeuf was one of several former internationals quoted after the game to use that word to sum up a calamitous campaign. He was, though, more inclined to lay the blame at the feet of the federation, rather than the players, calling for a major “clean-out”, the officials to be replaced by “people who know football”. “We must start from scratch,” he said.

Bixente Lizarazu, another member of the 1998 World Cup- winning team, blamed all parties, “the federation, the coach and players – the responsibility is global”.

“What shocked me deeply is that the French jersey, which belongs to no one, was held hostage. This is unforgivable.”

Jean-Pierre Papin, the 1991 European Footballer of the Year, directed his ire at Raymond Domenech, criticising his behaviour at full-time when he was “disrespectful to the coach of South Africa”. “And with journalists he really is a toddler,” he said, “the French team had no guidance.”

Aime Jacquet, manager of the 1998 team, also condemned Domenech for refusing to shake Carlos Alberto Parreira’s hand, and described the players’ revolt as “inconceivable and inexplicable”. “This fiasco will remain forever engraved in our memories,” he said, “everything must be done to change the image of the French team.”

“Ridiculous to the end,” said L’Equipe reporter Emery Taisne, describing the nation’s reaction to the team’s defeat as one of relief. “Our ordeal is over. We do not need to support this team whose whims had us exhausted. The Blues are eliminated – and they got what they deserved.”