Swiss hit back at Domenech's referee claims

BAD BERTRICH, Germany, June 21 (Reuters) Switzerland have accused French coach Raymond Domenech of playing mind games following his comments that the Swiss have benefited from favourable World Cup refereeing.

The Swiss were fortunate not to concede penalties in their first two Group G matches against France and Togo, but assistant coach Michel Pont insisted that there was nothing unusual about the incidents.

''In the long history of Swiss football we have also had plenty of decisions that have not gone our way, so I guess it's equal for all teams,'' Pont told a media conference today.

''I think Domenech is maybe trying to put some extra pressure on Switzerland with these statements but we are not going to let ourselves get stressed by what he says.'' HANDBALL CLAIM Domenech felt his side should have been given a penalty when a shot from French striker Thierry Henry struck the hand of Swiss defender Patrick Mueller.

The referee ignored the claims, however, and the two teams went on to draw 0-0.

Togo had more cause to feel aggrieved during their encounter with the Swiss after Henry's Arsenal team mate Emmanuel Adebayor appeared to be brought down in the box with Mueller again the man involved.

Mueller later admitted there had been some contact but said the penalty claim was ''50-50''.

After watching a replay of the incident, Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn conceded that it was ''a clear penalty.'' Domenech was also upset by a decision during France's game with South Korea when a Patrick Vieira header appeared to cross the Korean goal line, only to be ignored by Mexican referee Benito Archundia.

FRENCH CHALLENGE That match also ended in a draw, leaving France in need of a win against eliminated Togo in their final Group G match to have any chance of avoiding a second successive early departure from the World Cup.

Switzerland can meanwhile make sure of a place in the second round with a win or a draw against South Korea.

The Koreans probably need to win but could go through with the Swiss if they draw and the French fail to beat Togo by two goals or more.

''I think there is probably a lot of pressure on Raymond Domenech right now,'' Switzerland striker Marco Streller said today.

''He is probably saying all these things to try to distract people but he'd be better off concentrating on his own problems.'' Reuters DH DB2045