FFF elections: “We need to move away from closed-door thinking,” according to candidate Pierre Samsonoff

“The Federation has a vision of football on the boulevard de Grenelle”, denounces the challenger Pierre Samsonoff. MAXPPP – VALENTINE CHAPUIS

Before the elections of the French Football Federation, on December 10 and 11, the Breton, former general director of the body and close to Noël Le Graët, claims his proximity to the base and wants to profoundly change the mode of governance of a body “on the slippery slope”.

Why did you choose to run? ?

It is first and foremost a team project. For a few months now, we have been thinking with leaders of amateur and professional football about a different way of considering the FFF. It is this project that led us to consider that we needed to have a representation of the FFF's ideas for development in the federal campaign.

Among the reasons that led you to run, you often say that the FFF has strayed too far from reality.

Absolutely. We really feel that the Federation has a vision of football on Boulevard de Grenelle (the FFF's address in Paris, Editor's note) that is not the one we see on the sidelines. And that above all, it has missed all the opportunities it had to change its way of operating. This makes us think that it is on a slippery slope.

Clubs, new referees of an unprecedented voting method

It's a small revolution that could be important. 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 leagues, a coefficient of 1 to 4 being granted to them according to the quantity of licensees.
Finally, for 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 head of the 3F will be elected for a four-year term.

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You advocate for stronger sanctions against perpetrators of violence or discrimination. What does that mean? ?

When violence occurs off the pitch by people who are not licensed, sports authorities have few options. We are talking about administrative stadium bans extended to amateur football, because we are convinced that these measures will allow us to remove people from the pitch who behave in ways we do not want to see there. Here too, this requires breaking out of our closed-loop reasoning.

The big difference between Philippe Diallo and me is that when the FFF started to go downhill, I left.

Professional football is going through a serious economic crisis. Do you think that the FFF has done enough ?

The clubs' economic choices belong to them within the framework of the LFP, the FFF does not have to interfere with structures that are ultimately private companies. On the other hand, what surprises me a lot is that the FFF does not act to support the development of the economic model of professional football. There is this example which is quite telling: you have a new broadcaster in France, FFF licensees who are probably the biggest football fans and, yet, at no time do we specifically address them so that they can access professional matches in their region, so that we can send them advantageous offers. It seems very paradoxical to me.

Is the case of Didier Deschamps, whose quality of play is criticized, a subject ?

It shouldn't be. He has a contract, results, he deserves respect. On the other hand, the way the selections are managed is a real issue. Whatever the results, there is a tacit renewal of what has been done. It shows that there is no real sporting course that has been set.

You are from Guingamp and close to Noël Le Graët. What do you say to those who criticize you for this relationship? ?

The big difference between Philippe Diallo and me is that when the FFF started to go downhill, I left. I have a very good relationship with Noël Le Graët, indeed, I also have real disagreements that made me leave in 2021. We said them to each other face to face and each of us drew the consequences. I had the courage of my opinions.

You say that the opposing program is imprecise. When Philippe Diallo responds that you have demagogic proposals. What do you think of this criticism ?

It makes my hair stand on end. It is the criticism of people who have been seizing power for too long. Our proposals are that clubs should have the right to vote to decide on measures that concern them. These are basic democratic ideas.

Pierre Samsonoff in brief

Born on December 28, 1976 (47 years old) in Pithiviers (Loiret), of Russian origin through his father, Pierre Samsonoff grew up in Guingamp (Côtes-d'Armor). A graduate of Sciences Po Rennes and then of the École nationale supérieure de sécurit& sociale in Saint-Etienne, he was administrator of En Avant Guingamp until 2016. The historic club of a certain Noël Le Graeuml;t, president of the FFF from 2011 to 2023 before resigning in the face of numerous controversies. While he does not deny their proximity, Le Graeuml;t having given him his support for this election, Samsonoff recalls that he had also known how to distance himself. General director of the Amateur Football League, he had thus left the Federation in 2021 while Florence Hardouin had been confirmed in her position as general director of the body. Manager of US Saint-Malo (N2), he founded an HR organization consulting company. A great connoisseur of French football and its behind-the-scenes, Samsonoff claims an atypical career, in contact with the grassroots.

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