The Women’s World Cup gets underway in July but what state the France team are in at the start of the tournament is anyone’s guess. A nation that, ordinarily, would be considered among the favourites in Australia and New Zealand is without some of its star players and the manager could be removed at a meeting next week. It has been a dramatic week, even by French football standards.
The ‘jaw-dropping’ moment came with Friday’s announcement by national team captain Wendie Renard — a bona fide legend of the game — that she would no longer be available for selection. Much more on that in a moment.
It is just one part of the French Football Federation (FFF) saga. After months of turbulence, the shake-up has begun.
On Tuesday, the FFF president, Noel Le Graet, announced his resignation at a meeting of the executive committee after 11 years in office.
The discussion over Le Graet’s future had always been scheduled for February 28 after the findings of an audit commissioned by French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera over claims of sexual harassment and bullying at the FFF were released two weeks ago.
The report ruled Le Graet failed to hold “the necessary legitimacy to manage and represent French football” and “highlighted the inappropriate behaviour of Mr Le…
