GROUP SEVEN Romania 2 France 2: THIERRY HENRY urged the French Football Federation (FFF) yesterday to confirm coach Raymond Domenech in office despite the team's disappointing results.

Domenech, who steered France to the World Cup final in 2006 before they were knocked out in the first round of Euro 2008, is under intense scrutiny and his fate will be decided by the federation's board on Wednesday.

The FFF said in the off-season that Domenech's situation would be assessed after the first three matches of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Les Bleus started with a shock 3-1 defeat in Austria before beating Serbia 2-1 at home last month and recovering from two goals down to draw 2-2 in Romania on Saturday. They are fourth in Group Seven, two points adrift of Lithuania and Serbia.

"There is a point when things need to be clear. We must end this debate. If the coach is confirmed, then he is confirmed. You can't confirm someone with conditions," Henry said at France's training camp outside Paris. "If things were clear, it would be easier."

The striker, who captained France on Saturday, added that rumours linking 1998 World Cup winners Laurent Blanc and Didier Deschamps with the France job were destabilising the squad.

"We played for him (Domenech), for us, for French football," Henry said. "There is a fury against the coach and it's not easy for us to deal with it, especially when you need to prepare for such important games."

However, the debate surrounding Domenech spurred France to fight back in Romania, Henry added. France were 2-0 down after 17 minutes but goals by inspirational midfielders Franck Ribery and Yoann Gourcuff earned them a point.

"We knew we had to come back, for him, for us, for everyone," Henry said. "Let's try and qualify instead of trying to start controversies ahead of important matches. We stand by the coach."

Gourcuff put the seal on the French revival when he equalised with a venomous 25-metre shot in the 69th minute.

Forward Florentin Petre had earlier taken advantage of poor defending to put Romania in front after six minutes.

Defender Dorin Goian headed the second goal in the 17th minute from a right-wing corner by Petre for his fourth goal for Romania, before Franck Ribery pulled one back for France in the 38th.

"We had the match in our hands but we lost two great points," said Romania coach Victor Piturca. "It's good that we scored twice against a better team than ours," added Romania striker Adrian Mutu, who missed a good chance to score. "We suffered in the second half but the result is fair."

Domenech said a draw was the least his players deserved.

"The second goal was merited, given the level of our play in the second half," he told reporters. "I want to congratulate the whole team . . . the way they reacted was extraordinary."

Goalscorer Gourcoff was pleased with his own contribution. "We got off to a very bad start," he said. "When we were 2-0 down we reacted well. I am happy I scored because I wanted to make up for a missed opportunity in the first half. A draw is a good result when you play away."

Meanwhile Patrick Vieira and William Gallas have withdrawn from the France squad for the friendly against Tunisia in Paris tomorrow due to injuries, the French football federation (FFF) said yesterday.

Inter Milan midfielder Vieira picked up a calf injury on Saturday while warming up for the qualifier in Romania.

Arsenal defender Gallas pulled out of the game against Romania with a thigh injury, and the FFF added that right-back Bakary Sagna was struggling with a knee problem.

Le Mans goalkeeper Yohann Pele has been added to the French squad.