The French Football Federation announced on Thursday that Corinne Diacre, head coach of the French women’s national team since 2017, has been sacked just five months before the World Cup.
The FFF issued a statement, explaining that there was a “big rift” between the leadership (Diacre) and several players, which had been “harming the interests of the national team.” “
While there has been tension in the French women’s team since last year’s European Championship, things began to unravel at the end of February when team captain Wendie Renard announced that she would not play in the upcoming World Cup both to preserve her mental health and to complain about the “current system.”
“I love France more than anything, I am not perfect, far from it, but I cannot support the current system, which is far from the requirements of the highest level,” said Renard in a statement on social media via The Guardian. “It is a difficult day but it is necessary to preserve my mental health. It is with a heavy heart that I come to inform you of my decision to step down back from the French team. Unfortunately, I will not be playing in this World Cup under such conditions. My face may be hiding the pain but my heart is suffering.. . and I don’t want to suffer anymore.”
Renard’s message reportedly referred to Deacon. Two other players, Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani, followed their captain’s lead, saying they would not play in the World Cup until “the necessary changes” were made.
Diacre defended herself on Wednesday, issuing a statement that said despite the attacks on her character, she intended to fight to bring the World Cup trophy home to France.
“I have suffered, not without great suffering, the display of abominations, the facts and intentions of some and others […] I have been the subject of a smear campaign that is astonishing in its violence and dishonesty.”
“My detractors have not hesitated to attack my personal and professional integrity without disturbing the truth. I will not allow myself to be affected by this work of instability, which does not take into account my sports schedule, and which has the sole aim of personal reconciliation. scores.”
“Despite the shameful outburst in the media in the last few days, I want to publicly reaffirm what I said to the commission. That I am fully committed to accomplishing my mission and making France proud at the next World Cup.”
Less than 24 hours later, she was fired.
According to The Athletic, interim president of the French Football Federation Philippe Diallo has asked the executive committee to immediately begin interviewing potential candidates for the job so that they can make recommendations and move forward with the recruitment process as quickly as possible.
