We are not going to discover today the populism that infects democratic life nor the tendency of politicians to seize upon sporting successes for their own gain. It’s frankly dรฉjร vu. We obviously agree that a thorough cleanup is necessary for players who are clearly out of place and disconnected from reality, for a self-centered coach who borders on paranoia, and for leaders who are completely overwhelmed by events and far from up to the task… In short, everything needs to be put in place as quickly as possible.
What we doubt is the legitimacy of the “doctors” who rushed to the bedside of the great sick man with miracle cures for a quick recovery. Because they are the same people who applauded the said players, the same coach and the same leaders before the results and collective behavior of the French team at the 2010 World Cup revealed that the King was indeed naked, thus sparking the anger of the good people against these heroes who betrayed the dream!!!
Let’s start with the President of the Republic, who, a few months ago, was congratulating the management of the French team for qualifying for the same World Cup after a victory against Ireland achieved fraudulently, and who now demands the convening of the General States of football, the resignation of the FFF leaders, etc. Not to mention that he privately receives one of the players, Thierry Henry, to discuss with him what happened before, during, and after the matches of the French team in South Africa.
The same Thierry Henry who, after his handball in the action that allowed the Blues to score the winning goal against Ireland, celebrated as if he had achieved a feat!!! A fine example of fair play and morality!
Let’s also talk about the Minister of Health and Sports, Roselyne Bachelot, who played, with the success we know, the role of “mater dolorosa” during the key period of player insubordination.
Proud, naturally in front of TV cameras without which there can be no public life (long live discretion), to proclaim that the players had understood her recommendations and… even cried.
In short, brave boys simply lost… who become “thugs and weak-minded” once back in Paris and having received a few talking points, as the orders from on high are now called.
Finally, the telegenic Secretary of State for Sports, Rama Yade, whose real function is questionable since her statements are regularly contradicted by her supervising Minister, and who alternated between insignificant quips (the logistics of the Blues in South Africa) with home remedies like having players loudly sing “La Marseillaise”: Maybe choir lessons should be imposed on soccer players?
It’s a shame that her involvement didn’t go beyond a few protocol appearances at sporting events with the photo gallery that her lovely silhouette may have inspired photographers.
Let’s now await these “General States” so that French football can find its way to resurgence. Traditionally, this kind of initiative hides a big void of ideas and aims to buy time while waiting for passions to cool and memories to fade. But with this doctoral team in charge, let’s not doubt that French football will miraculously rise from its ashes and… see you at the next one!!!!
In the meantime, it remains to be hoped that political decision-makers will regain some decency and stop subjecting us to this nauseating spectacle of “fake” Jacobins and rediscover the common sense that they seem to have lost.
Can we remind them that “common sense” is said in English as “common sense” and should therefore apply to everyone… and especially to themselves?
