French Football Federation President Resigns
Times are tough for French footballers, and things have now officially gone from bad to worse. Today it was announced that French Football Federation (FFF) President Jean-Pierre Escalettes will resign, in light of the French team’s disastrous performance at the 2010 World Cup.
Scoring only one point and one goal in the entire tournament, and losing in the first round to South Africa, the country is amiss as to how its national team could be in such dire straits. It was reported that President Nicolas Sarkozy even met with members of the team before heading to the G20 in Toronto to get an explanation out of them.
France suffered the first of several infighting setbacks when striker Nicolas Anelka was ejected from the tournament after a heated confrontation with head coach Raymond Domenech. Afterwards the team expressed collective dismay over the dismissal and refused to practice. Captain Patrice Evra appealed to the FFF, and due to rising tensions with Domenech, was stripped out his title and pulled off the starting list of France’s last Cup match.
In a formal statement, Escalettes said: “After a weekend of reflection during which I consulted my elected colleagues, my staff and my family, I feel it is my duty to step down from my position as President of the French Football Federation.”
On a more wistful note, he added: “I consider that it is my duty to resign from my role as President of the French Football Federation. I accept my share of the responsibility. My decision is essentially dictated by my will to preserve and facilitate the evolution of an institution I have served with passion for several decades."
Escalettes had headed the FFF since 2005. Last week Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot sneered that his resignation was “unavoidable.”
He faced severe criticism for keeping Domenech in charge of the squad even after heading an unsuccessful effort in Euro 2008. Domenech, who closed the book on a six-year tenure with France last week after losing to South Africa, will be replaced by Laurent Blanc.
While discussing the misfortunes, Escalettes sat beside Patrice Evra, who held his head in his hands as if disgraced.
Domenech has also been a heated target for criticism, criticized primarily for repeatedly leaving superstar Thierry Henry on the bench and failing to capture the attention or respect of his team. Henry had admitted to a handball which was uncalled and led to a vital goal in French World Cup qualification.
France exited the Cup with a dismal tie and two losses. Domenech publicly announced that the players’ decision to boycott practice was “stupid,” and that he agreed with the formal decision to expel Anelka, with whom he'd had a confrontation.
The French team’s infighting can be compared and contrasted with the English team, who also saw infighting after a lacklustre start. Though differences perhaps end there, as the English were at least able to rally a win and a degree of team unity noticeably absent with the French.
Escalettes concluded: “I will submit my resignation at the end of the Federal Council on July 2. I remain available to all for a hard-hitting analysis behind the fiasco of Team France in South Africa. I will elaborate on these various points on Friday before my colleagues in the Federal Council. In the meantime, I will not respond to any solicitations from the media."
Analysts and fans alike are looking to a brighter French future in football, and many are saying a complete reconstitution of the team’s official positions is necessary to inspire hope and glory again.
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