France: "The governance of the FFF needs to be completely reviewed" (Frédéric Thiriez)

"It would be irresponsible not to question the deep-rooted reasons that led to such a crisis, if we want to avoid its recurrence. Let's dare to make a diagnosis: it is the governance of the Fédération Française de Football, a sort of institutionalised 'dictatorship', that needs to be completely reviewed," declared Frédéric Thiriez, former president of the Ligue de Football Professionnel (2002-2016), in an article published in the French weekly newspaper Journal du Dimanche (JDD) on 15/01/2023.

As a candidate for the presidency of the FFF in 2021 (25.11% of the votes, beaten by Noël Le Graët), the lawyer looks back at the crisis of governance that is shaking the body. "Noël Le Graët, in agreement with the FFF executive committee gathered in Paris, has chosen to withdraw from his duties as president of the Federation until the final communication of the audit commissioned by the Ministry of Sports, and pending its analysis by the FFF executive committee," announced the Federation on 11/01/2023. "The FFF's ExCo has also decided to lay off Florence Hardouin, the FFF's general manager…