France winger Florent Malouda says restoring the team's battered reputation is now the priority after its disastrous World Cup. The process will start with another of its stars meeting with President Nicolas Sarkozy. France's presidential palace says Thierry Henry will meet with Sarkozy on Thursday to discuss the national team's shocking first-round knockout from the tournament.
A spokesman said Henry requested the meeting. Coach Raymond Domenech and his players are expected to return home Wednesday to a hostile reception from a nation shocked by their behavior during the tournament. Malouda says "we deserve our position right now" and "we are going to have to work hard to restore the image of the national team."
Copyright AP - Associated Press
