The anti-immigration National Front leader made his comments ahead of France's last 16 round game against Spain which the French went on to win 3-1 to reach the quarterfinals.

Presidential candidate Le Pen said that there was no great national movement of support behind what he called an ageing team.

"I get the feeling that the French public do not feel truly represented by them which, without doubt, explains why there is not the same depth of support as there was eight years ago" when France won the World Cup at home.

Le Pen also indulged in an old charge that the French players did not properly sing the national anthem when it was played just prior to kickoff, citing the case of Zinedine Zidane "who mumbles it a bit."

Replying to the comments at the French training base here, Domenech said that it was wrong to single out the French players for such criticism.

"He should take a look at the other teams. We are probably one of the teams which have the most players that sing the national anthem.

"He should stop saying things like this, the Spanish don't sing, the Argentinians don't sing.

"The players are proud to wear the French colours."

Le Pen has regularly been at loggerheads with the French national side which draws it players from a mixed background of European and African descent.