the popular, anti-racist and supportive club

“When you’re part of the MFC, you fight against a system”, explains Rachid, player and captain of MFC 1871. Ihe Parisian club Ménilmontant Football Club was founded nine years ago. At that time, the goal was to fight against the football business. Lasting over time, it is structured, over the years, to become, in France, one of the only self-managed, self-financed and militant clubs.

Fight against certain ideas

“When you come into the club, you have to be aware of that. You are going to defend values, defend a club”, explains Rachid. In this club, every news item is followed in order to be able to respond to them later and be as responsive as possible. At Ménilmontant FC 1871, sport is a political and activism tool. It allows them to counter certain ideas and convey messages. “90% of the club’s people are at the retirement demonstrations. So there are those who demonstrate, there are those who express their dissatisfaction in another way. Do you see this principle of neutrality? Here there is no”, explains one of the supporters.

For Chloé, MFC 1891 player and supporter, the idea of ​​popular football is very present: “Regardless of the socio-cultural environment, where you come from, what liabilities you have in relation to the club, there is this moment of cohesion and fervor which is already very important. It’s really, I think, the DNA of the club”. The club advocates values ​​that are transmitted both on the field, but also in the stands with songs in order to create cohesion.