Gossips are told to button it by Thierry Henry

The Barcelona striker scored the equaliser in France's 1-1 draw in Serbia last night that keeps their chances of automatic qualification for the World Cup alive.

The Serbs are top of Group Seven, four points clear of second-placed France with two matches to play.

It was a creditable point for the French, though, considering they had keeper Hugo Lloris sent off in the ninth minute.

But the draw at home to Romania at the weekend was overshadowed by reports of a pre-match row involving Domenech and his players, led by Henry.

Le Parisien reported Domenech tried to spark a reaction from his players prior to the game by questioning their hunger and Henry was said to have responded on behalf of the squad by stating the players were uninspired by training sessions and the team had "no style, no guidance and no identity".

Henry hit back, though, and claimed reports of a bust-up were wrong.

"It is annoying, for what came out is not the truth," he said. "What a pity for it was a constructive discussion.

"If the vicious gossip were true I don't think I would have been kept on as captain (for the Serbia game)."

Asked if he had confidence in Domenech, the former Arsenal man added: "Yes, I have said that, and it is also up to us to liven up."

France certainly showed their spirit in Belgrade last night as Henry's effort after half an hour cancelled out Nenad Milijas' 13th-minute opener from the penalty spot.

Referee Roberto Rosetti awarded the penalty when Lloris felled Milan Jovanovic in the area and had no hesitation in handing the Lyon stopper his marching orders.