French football federation: confidential report describing governance in chaos

It is a confidential nineteen-page document, the contents of which could intensify the already tense atmosphere in the corridors of the Paris headquarters of the French Football Federation (FFF). the world Take into account the audit report prepared in September 2020 by the private consulting firm Plein Sens and commissioned by the President of the FFF, Noel Le Graet. This refers to the dysfunctions and conflicts that were already annoying the government at that time.

The document, which has never been fully disclosed to staff and federal elected officials, is a central element of an inspection mission to the FFF in September by Sports Minister Amélie Oueda-Castera. The findings are expected in January 2023, after the World Cup in Qatar. Written by Eric Moliere, associate director of Plein Sens, the report was received with gusto by Mr. Le Graeme and his general manager, Florence Hardouin. A summary and recommendations were then presented to the elected members of the Executive Committee in November 2020.

Entitled “Investigation after several complaints of harassment in management team”, this report outlines the reasons for the governance crisis the FFF has been experiencing since the Blues were crowned at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. In September 2020, ten to eight directors, including the Federation’s “CEO”, were interviewed by the firm Plein Sens.

“outrageous behavior”

Based on these hearings, the speaker describes “A Harmful Climate Confirmed by the Management Team as a Whole”, “The situation is considered unbearable”, “Permanently Damaged Relationships”and “Severe Conflict” Between the five directors – three of whom left the FFF in 2021 – and the general manager. “This conflict could/should have been resolved before by the president, who could not choose his closest associates, sometimes friends”Eric Moliere notes.

For all the officials interviewed, the 2018 World Cup represents a “tide”. At that time, Mr. Le Graet was being treated for leukemia. Several directors believe that B.^I Hardoin then “A little has been released from the powers of the president”. “This period is characterized by the general director’s approach to the French national team and the latter’s distancing from the federation, both physically and managerially.writes Plein Sens. (…) This change will be felt badly by some who see it as a clumsy way of asserting themselves in this position and taking the limelight of the national coach and the French national team. »