“The FFF must not absolve itself of its responsibility”, says the vice-president of the National Union of Professional Footballers

“The French Football Federation (FFF) must not exonerate itself from its responsibility”, said Fabien Safanjon, guest of franceinfo on Saturday February 25. The vice-president of the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP), in charge of the women’s department, wants us to listen to the captain of the Bleues Wendie Renard and the attackers Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani. The day before, they announced that they would “withdrawn” five months from the World Cup, claiming “changes” in the “management” of the team. The FFF declared that“no individuality is above the France team”.

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However, “These decisions are the consequence of a latent problem, which does not date from yesterday morning”points out Fabien Safanjon, who hopes for “discussions that will make it possible to find solutions”. He estimates that “if they do it, it’s to denounce a real problem”adding that “their voice is not always sufficiently considered” And “that we must listen to the actors and actresses”.

Do not “stigmatize” Corine Deacon

At the heart of these tensions, all eyes are focused on coach Corine Deacon. You don’t need the “stigmatize”tempers Fabien Safanjon. “It will be up to the FFF to take its responsibilities, it’s up to them to do the analysis to understand why these players are positioning themselves like that, the main thing is to listen to them”.

According to the vice-president of the UNFP, the FFF does not do enough for women’s football, “There are things that are being put in place, but it takes time”. “We may only have a professional league in June 2023”regrets Fabien Safanjon, for whom France has not been able to take advantage “of the success of the 2019 World Cup in France” and has “falling behind compared to other European countries”. According to him, it is necessary to lead “real work and investment to consolidate and promote the strength of women’s football”.