FFF elections: “We have restored the image of football and the Federation”, says Philippe Diallo

Président par intérim suite au départ de Noël Le Graët, Philippe Diallo avait ensuite été élu en Assemblée générale. MAXPPP – Stéphane Geufroi

Avant le scrutin, les 10 et 11 décembre, le président sortant met en avant son bilan pour briguer un nouveau mandat lors duquel il promet une aide exceptionnelle au football amateur.

What prompted you to run for this mandate? ?

I arrived in complicated circumstances, a crisis in football, a crisis of governance in particular. Two years later, I think that this has calmed down, that we have restored the image of football and the Federation, that we still have a very high level of sporting performance and that we have strengthened the economic model. We have worked well collectively. Having, I think, a positive balance sheet, having ideas for the coming years, I wanted to be able to put together the strongest possible list to be able to lead the destiny of French football.

What are the development areas that you mentioned ?

First, we have given ourselves the means to achieve our ambition. The resources that can be devoted to the development of football, and especially amateur football, will be unprecedented in the next four years. And in particular because we have signed a contract with the equipment manufacturer Nike, perhaps the largest in the world, and which therefore gives us the economic means to be able to implement policies for the feminization, the development of futsal, and assistance for our amateur clubs, through support for job creation, infrastructure, and the training of supervisors, to be able to ensure that our football is stronger in four years than it is today. This is the final ambition.

We see that there is a desire among some to instrumentalize football for other purposes

Several cases of separatism have been noted, particularly in Hérault. Do these phenomena of radicalization worry you??

First, football is open to everyone, regardless of skin color, nationality, or beliefs. That's the basic principle. Then, we see that there is a desire among some to instrumentalize football for other purposes. I opposed that. It even led me to go to the Council of State following complaints that were filed against the Federation's statutes. If we deviate from the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity, we will no longer play together.

Clubs, new referees of an unprecedented voting method

This is a small revolution that could have its importance. For the first time in the history of the French Football Federation (FFF), amateur clubs can vote in this election of the new president.
Previously, only professional clubs (37% of the votes) and representatives of leagues and districts had a say. Now, the electorate has been divided into three. And each family benefits from a third of the votes.
More or less votes depending on the number of licensees
This reform is part of the law of March 2, 2022 aimed at democratizing sport in France. It applies to all sports federations in France.
In concrete terms, amateur clubs have more or fewer votes depending on the number of their licensees. For example, if one of them has 11 to 250 licenses, it benefits from one vote. When a structure with more than 800 members is entrusted with four.
The logic is the same for the leagues, a coefficient of 1 to 4 being granted to them according to the quantity of licensees.
Finally, for the professional clubs, Ligue 1 has 60% of the votes while L2 and National count for 40%.
This major development gives real weight to the more than 12,000 amateur clubs. And could have an impact on the election.
Comex doubled and parity
Other new features accompany it. Candidates must notably present a list of 18 members and 8 substitutes, including themselves, compared to 12 previously. As a result, the executive committee (Comex) is also doubled, from 14 to 28 members. Among them, twenty-two are chosen during this election: the president, twenty running mates but also a representative of doctors. The other six members of the Comex will be elected by their peers. À namely two representatives of high-level players, two of referees and two of coaches. In addition, this new composition will be equal, with 14 women and 14 men.
Result on December 14
After three weeks of campaigning, French football is called to the polls from this Tuesday, December 10 (10 a.m.), until Wednesday, December 11 (6 p.m.). The results will be announced on December 14. And the new boss of the 3F will be elected for a four-year term.

What role can the FFF play with the LFP and professional clubs, in financial difficulty? ? And has it played it sufficiently? ?

The FFF has played its part. For economic reasons, the LFP wanted to postpone the launch of the Espoir challenge, which I decided to take charge of. I also told the LFP and the clubs that I will help them economically, starting this season, by allowing them not to reimburse nearly €10 million in refereeing fees. I will do it next season as well. This is unprecedented in the history of the FFF.

If we were to be reappointed, I would very quickly request the meeting of a Task Force with all stakeholders, including the DNCG, to ensure a rebound in professional football and get it out of the doldrums. Which will certainly require deeper reforms.

If we were in the economic model that I found two years ago, we would be talking about restriction.

Your opponent, Pierre Samsonoff, describes your program as “imprecise”…

On the contrary, it is extremely concrete, coherent and not demagogic. When I say that amateur football will be able to benefit from €150 million, that is concrete. Our ambitions are strong: I said 500,000 licensees for women, creation of a League 3, redefinition of skills between the Federation, the leagues and the districts, additional aid for clubs or amateur football, 50% increase in the long term. We can do a lot of things with that. If we were in the economic model that I found two years ago, we would talk about restriction.

What do you say to those who are calling for a change at the head of the Blues ?

I arrived, my predecessor had just extended Didier Deschamps' contract for four years. I respect contracts, especially when the coach gets the results you ask of him. I have many European and even international colleagues who would dream of being in my place, of having such a successful team and which, to Didier Deschamps' great credit, is changing over time. What do you want to do better? ?

Philippe Diallo in brief

Born on August 2, 1963 (61 years old) in Saint-Nazaire, Philippe Diallo is the son of a Senegalese boxing champion. Having passed through the FC Nantes training center, where he played as a playmaker, he continued his studies at Sciences Po and a law degree. He directed the Union of Professional Football Clubs (UCPF) for nearly thirty years. Cited several times as a potential president of the LFP, Diallo joined the FFF in 2021 during the re-election of Noël Le Graeuml;t, who had placed him on his list. General Treasurer of the Executive Committee (Comex), he became Deputy Vice-President in December 2021, replacing Brigitte Henriques, who left for the CNOSF. When Le Graeuml;t resigned, he was promoted to interim president of the FFF in February 2023, before being confirmed in the post less than six months later with 91% of the votes in the General Assembly. A discreet man, not a fan of “punchlines” in the media, Philippe Diallo is recognized for his qualities as a shrewd politician and networker.

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