This commentary by our friend and collaborator Eric Borghini recalls, through the superior quality of his lexicon, his impeccable logic, and the depth of his remarks, the famous interventions of another lawyer, Cicero, in the Roman Senate. This reading allows us to follow it up with a quote from Cicero himself: “We cannot stigmatize too harshly the vice of those subtle and deceitful men always ready to speak as you wish, not as the truth demands.”
Publicly thanking Eric Borghini for his contribution, which provides a very interesting reading key on this explosive subject, we are delighted to offer it to our readers.
The Médiapart website, evidently at the forefront when it comes to “pulling out of the hat” numerous media-political scandals, has this time chosen a new target: the French Football Federation by publishing the verbatim of a meeting between technicians, employees of the FFF, which was held six months ago on November 8, 2010, at the federation’s Paris headquarters. Before addressing the substantive issues posed by these revelations, I think we cannot escape an analysis on the form.
First, the timing of when the information appears. Coincidentally, Médiapart strikes precisely at a time when the French Football Federation is undergoing a “revolution” (complete governance reform in response to the dysfunctions everyone is aware of); and when, on the other hand, President DUCHAUSSOY, who is behind this true “cultural revolution” at the FFF, is reflecting on his possible candidacy for the June 18, 2011 elections (since his “crisis” management of federal affairs since July 23, 2010, can be deemed satisfactory, especially in the very recent period when he was able, with finesse and diplomacy, to get the grand reform of the Federation’s governance adopted); and finally, his main rival, Noël Le Graet, the emblematic unconditional supporter of a certain Raymond Domenech (who ushered in the Knysna scandal), hasn’t been able to garner the support of professional clubs that are members of the UCPF.
We must not be naive; the one targeted by this affair is indeed Fernand DUCHAUSSOY. It is he who, among other actions, fired Raymond DOMENECH and refused to negotiate the exorbitant severance pay he demanded. It is still Fernand DUCHAUSSOY who chose the National Technical Director, François BLAQUART, and confirmed the national coach, Laurent BLANC. It is thus indeed him whom they want to weaken through this new controversy.
Furthermore, Médiapart is executing a rather suspicious amalgamation by claiming that the leaders of French football “secretly approved, late 2010, the principle of unofficial discriminatory quotas,” to limit the proportion of “black and Arab” players in training centers and football schools.
However, one should not confuse the leaders of French football, such as Messrs. Fernand DUCHAUSSOY, President of the FFF, Frédéric THIRIEZ, President of the LFP, Bernard BARBET, President of the LFA, all volunteers, as well as members of their boards; with the FFF employees, Messrs. BLANC and BLAQUART, who, even as senior directors, are nonetheless employees of the Federation and in no way comprise the “governing bodies” of French football!
Specifically, national and local football leaders, myself included as are my colleague league and district presidents, have never at any time, directly or indirectly, given written or even verbal instructions to anyone to practice a discriminatory, racial, or segregationist technical policy towards any of our licensed participants! To believe or even imagine otherwise would be as much a slander as it would be an insult. In this regard, the case initiated against the FFF and its leaders is utterly extravagant, unjust, and dangerous for those who started it, because football will not accept being treated like a doormat upon which falsehoods can be impunitively wiped.
Finally, purely on form, what to think of the working method used by journalists who utilize remarks recorded by one or more participants in a work meeting, unbeknownst to all, and reproduce them, out of context, six months later, without even taking the basic precaution of asking the individuals in question for their reaction to be published simultaneously with the incriminated remarks so that the reader can find their way?
Especially since it is highly likely that those who supplied this recording, who certainly belong to the DTN, evidently have a personal or professional interest in “settling scores” by attacking BLANC and BLAQUART. We are swimming in the murky waters of vendettas! Therefore, we must exercise the utmost caution.
Now on substance.
The remarks captured and reported verbatim by Médiapart are as follows: “Laurent Blanc: What’s there currently in terms of big, strong, powerful players? The blacks (…) I believe we need to refocus, especially for 13-14-year-old boys, 12-13-year-olds, have other criteria, modified with our own culture (…) The Spaniards told me: ‘We, we have no problem. We don’t have blacks.’”
Erick Mombaerts: Should we address the problem and limit the number of kids who can change nationality?
Laurent Blanc: I am very much in favor.
François Blaquart: We can organize, unofficially, a kind of quota. But it cannot be said out loud.
Erick Mombaerts: So it should be 30%? (…) There are indeed clubs like Lyon which do this in their training center.
Francis Smerecki: I say: first of all, it’s discriminatory.”
Out of context, such remarks can lead to all possible interpretations. What I know is that neither Laurent BLANC nor François BLAQUART are racists. Their entire careers testify to this. That the expression used, in a non-public context, may have been clumsy or too reductive of a debate that is nevertheless real, is certain. But that there was any deliberate intent from the national coach or the DTN to place themselves outside the laws of the Republic, and outside the laws of sport and football, would be a manipulation, which I don’t believe for a single moment.
In this regard, I commend President DUCHAUSSOY’s decision to entrust two very committed personalities in football: Messrs. Laurent DAVENAS, Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation and President of the FFF’s Ethics Council, and Patrick BRAOUZEC, Deputy for Seine-Saint-Denis, President of the Football Foundation, the task of conducting an internal investigation and delivering their conclusions within a week.
This guarantees a fair hearing for all the protagonists of this case and an “incriminating and exculpatory” administrative investigation, which will allow the competent authorities to, in due course, make the decision dictated by law and honor.
Either a state official has trampled on our common values, or he hasn’t. And others along with him. The investigation will determine the responsibilities of each.
It will therefore be necessary then, and only at that moment, to decide one way or the other. Until then, let us cease with this increasingly common practice of conducting trials in the “Stalinist” method by substituting the media for the courtrooms, ignoring the most elementary duty in a democracy, namely respect for the presumption of innocence!
We are indeed facing a real, delicate, and high-stakes double debate for the future of our discipline that concerns the question of dual-nationality players eligible for the French Teams and the definition of what French football should be in the future.
On dual nationality, the question posed is: what about the dual-nationality players we select in the “youth” teams, who join the French Teams, and who are part of a group we lead, train, raise to the “France-Espoirs” level, and who, at the time of being selected for the French A Team, choose another national team besides France? I regret, but this question arises. Declining its terms is neither discrimination, racism, segregation, xenophobia, ostracism nor anything other than inquiring about the future of French football and its performances on the international stage in major world or European tournaments.
Nevertheless, can we reasonably ask a MINOR child of 12 or 13 to choose their country? Isn’t it too soon? Asking a French person to play for France is undeniably proof of our failure in terms of education and citizenship (school, family, etc.)? How do we ask a 12 or 13-year-old to choose their nationality when they are minors and some don’t even have an identity card, even if they are French?
These questions also arise.
French soccer is unparalleled. It is the societal activity where the Republican reality functions best, where it advances the fastest. We just need to open our eyes. Before unfairly putting the FFF on trial over this topic, it should have been directed at other institutions like large corporations, or even national representation, politics, etc…. And those so quick to cast stones at others should start by cleaning their own doorstep!
We must not forget that young players selected for the French Teams are French. Speaking of them as “blacks and Arabs” is already a way of not recognizing them as French. This establishes, in fact, a “colonial” relationship with the indigenous. How then do we expect these young people to choose the blue jersey (that is to assert their French citizenship) when from an awkward discourse, a confusion emerges that sends them back to an inglorious history of France?
Almost all young players wish to be called into the French A Team. If they choose to represent their parents’ country, it is purely for sporting reasons: playing a World Cup. Under whatever jersey. Because it’s important and is an added value in a soccer career.
Moreover, we must keep in mind that playing under the jersey of countries today “friendly” to France, these young people forge a link with our history, and this should be welcomed. They are ambassadors of French soccer. Our training provides these children, who are ours, with opportunities, that is their future. In return, there is recognition of the quality of “French-style” training and the attractiveness of our country (players and coaches, such as Nasser SANDJAK, born French, was called to lead the Algerian National Team in the CAN 2000. He was trained in France).
French soccer trains elites for these countries, just as France does in other fields (doctors, engineers…). This is the natural order of things and it is very positive as it greatly contributes to France’s international influence. Wanting to go against the flow of life can only lead to the darkness and gloom of history.
Regarding what French soccer should be, the question posed is: do we want a more technical or always more physical and athletic soccer for the future?
Depending on the response to this question, the technical selection criteria can change. For example, if the choice leans towards more technical than physical soccer, the selection will focus on players with a less athletic build, higher explosiveness, etc. Is this to say racial, religious, or discriminatory, segregationist criteria are introduced? Not only do I not think so, but I find such a question utterly absurd. Because to revisit the hypothesis advanced by Médiapart, it seems that there are “black” or “Arab” players who are fast and who have small builds! At OGC Nice Côte d’Azur, we had the example of Bakari KONE. As for the “big strong ones,” they exist just as much among “whites”… The current national coach being the best example.
This entire disgusting, scandalous, and noxious controversy reveals a hidden desire to weaken the DTN, the French Team, the Federation, and its President. Because I am well placed to testify that for more than 35 years that I have worked for football, our Federation has always pursued a brotherly policy of integrating all children, regardless of their race, religion, or social condition.
The objective contracts we complete each season systematically involve a section on fighting racism, anti-Semitism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, violence, and incivility. During the General States of Soccer on October 28 and 29, 2010, Fernand DUCHAUSSOY imposed, among the three discussed themes, that of the “social and civic role” of football. And here, on the Côte d’Azur, we will be conducting an action in association with the LICRA on June 27, 2011, within the NICE Detention Center.
So certainly not, football has no civics, republicanism, and fraternity lessons to receive from anyone.
Master Eric BORGHINI
President of the Côte d’Azur Football District
Vice President of the Mediterranean League
Knight in the National Order of Merit
Bronze Medal for National Defense and Voluntary Military Services
Gold Medal for Youth and Sports.
