Four years after a successfully hosted 2019 World Cup, the French Football Federation (FFF) is not approaching the meeting in Portugal on Tuesday of the UEFA executive committee in Portugal, which must choose the host of the next Championship. ‘Europe.
Between the security chaos that preceded the Real Madrid-Liverpool shock on May 28, the subject a few weeks ago of a damning independent report for the French authorities, and the upheavals at the FFF which led to the resignation of its president Noël Le Graët and his replacement by the interim Philippe Diallo, the image of France took quite a blow and it would be surprising in these conditions that the European Confederation entrusts him with the destinies of the Euro.
“A very good file” according to the president of the FFF
However, the tricolor folder looks great. The UEFA specifications imposing the association of two cities to host a group, France has opted for four pairs (Rennes-Nantes, Lens-Valenciennes, Reims-Metz and Paris-Lyon). The FFF has mainly bet on an “eco-responsible” application, the travel of the 16 teams in the running having to be done for the most part by train or bus. Will these good intentions be enough to convince the UEFA EC?
“I think we have a very good record,” wants to believe Philippe Diallo. “Despite the incidents at the Stade de France, France has shown on other occasions its ability to organize major events in the best conditions. I remain completely optimistic. »
The manager also refutes that the dismissal by the FFF of the former general manager Florence Hardouin, member of the executive committee of UEFA until her ousting from the Federation, could be another stone in the shoe of the French candidacy. “I know that Florence Hardouin had responsibilities within the Comex, that she was appreciated in the performance of her duties. We’ll see what the executive committee decides, but in any case, I think we’re in the race,” he said.
A place in the Works Council at stake
To make matters worse, France is facing very strong adversity. The strongest competitor is undoubtedly the alliance between the four Nordic nations, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, where the culture of women’s football is well anchored. Switzerland is also in ambush and can make its central geographical position prevail in Europe, the fourth candidate, that of Poland, appearing further back.
Beyond the Women’s Euro, the challenge for Philippe Diallo will also be to be elected to the UEFA executive committee and to safeguard the seat held by France, left vacant since the departure of Florence Hardouin.
Will the interim boss of the FFF suffer from the close proximity between Le Graët and the president of Fifa Gianni Infantino, who has often placed France at odds with UEFA?
A double failure would in any case necessarily weaken its position while the “Comex” of the FFF must choose by June 10 a candidate from among its members to lead the body until December 2024. “I launched my candidacy late, with an image of France which may have been blurred internationally, so I took a risk, ”admits Philippe Diallo. “But I consider it legitimate that France, through its sporting successes, through the quality of its training, through its concern also for solidarity, should be represented in the highest levels of football.”
