French football federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes will quit later this week following what he called the "fiasco" of France's World Cup campaign in South Africa.

Escalettes said Monday he will submit his resignation at a meeting of the federation's federal council on Friday.

France was eliminated at the group stage in South Africa for the second consecutive major tournament under coach Raymond Domenech.

Along with the dismal results, there were also open conflicts between the squad and team management. France players boycotted a training session in protest at Nicolas Anelka's exclusion from the squad following an expletive-filled tirade directed at Domenech.

"My decision is mainly dictated by the desire to preserve and facilitate the evolution of an institution that I have served with passion for decades," Escalettes said in a statement. "I accept my share of the responsibility..."

Escalettes is scheduled to appear before France's National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, for questioning on Wednesday about the World Cup debacle - a sign of how seriously France's politicians are taking the matter.

Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot earlier said she felt Escalettes' resignation was "inevitable," prompting FIFA to warn France it won't hesitate to suspend the country in case of government interference with the team.

France President Nicolas Sarkozy has also vowed to personally investigate the squad's meltdown.

France lost two and drew the other of its three matches at the World Cup, and finished last in Group A.

After six years in charge, Domenech will be replaced by former Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc, a World Cup winner with France in 1998 and a European Championship winner two years later.

"I will remain available for an objective analysis of the reasons for the fiasco," Escalettes said.

Escalettes was first elected in February 2005 and then re-elected in 2008.

A former amateur player in the Bordeaux region, Escalettes was praised for his handling of the federation's accounts and for steering France to victory in the race to become the host nation of the European Championship in 2016.

However, he was widely criticised for his decision to stand by Domenech despite France's humiliating first-round exit at the Euro 2008.

Bachelot said in a statement that she "takes note" of Escalettes' resignation while French league president Frederic Thiriez described him as "an honest and fair man.

"The disaster at the World Cup should not overshadow the positive aspects" of Escalettes' spell in charge, Thiriez said in a statement. "Euro 2016, the financial recovery of the federation and the solidarity between amateur and professional football. This solidarity must remain stronger than ever as we need to rebuild an entire new system of governance for tomorrow's football."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP