By David Gold
May 6 – The ethnic quota row engulfing French football has accelerated this week, with national team coach Laurent Blanc’s position in doubt, despite the suspension of the French Football Federation’s (FFF) National Technical Director Francois Blaquart.
Reports revealed that senior French officials including Blanc had secretly approved a plan to introduce a quota which would limit the number of dual-nationality players, predominantly of African or North African origin, in the country’s academies.
Blaquart had defended the idea, saying that France should not be training too many players who could then appear for other nations, but he was suspended last week.
Chantal Jouanno, the country’s sports minister, and Fernand Duchaussoy, the Director of the FFF, both criticised the plans and launched inquiries which will hear the evidence of Blanc this weekend.
Blanc apologised for his comments which he said were taken “out of context” but could “offend some sensibilities”.
But he added: “Being suspected of racism or xenophobia when I am against any form of discrimination, I can not stand for.”
Blanc was only appointed as France manager last summer after the World Cup, in which France performed disastrously, and he has revived the team since, bringing through a number of talented youngsters into the senior side, including a number of players of African origin, such as Yann M’Vila and Mamadou Sakho.
If Blanc is ousted from his role, speculation suggests that Didier Deschamps, coach of Ligue 1 champions Marseille and former trainer of both Juventus and Monaco, could take his role with the national team.
And France’s World Cup winning side in 1998, largely built on the talents of some of its non-white or dual-nationality players such as Lilian Thuram, Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry, is split on the issue.
Thuram earlier this week spoke out, saying that the affair was “a real scandal” and that an apology from Blanc, whom he played alongside in the French defence during that World Cup success, was insufficient.
Patrick Vieira, the former France captain, echoed Thuram’s words, but insisted that Blanc was not racist.
“I’m surprised by the extent of his comments,” he said.
“It’s not for me to say who should leave, but I would find it hard to understand how the directors who were present at the meeting could remain in their positions.”
Former goalkeeper Bernard Lama was critical of the national team manager.
“What bothered me with Laurent is that he initially denied it and afterwards he apologised,” he said.
“That’s what bothers me most.”
But Cristophe Dugarry, another key member of the 1998 side, criticised Thuram, saying: “What annoys me about Lilian Thuram’s behaviour, especially when I see him go up against Laurent Blanc in such a manner, is the way he wants to pass himself off as the judge of the Supreme Court.
“I think he wants to divide French football.
“I find him hard and aggressive towards Laurent Blanc.”
Bixente Lizarazu and Emmanuel Petit, who played alongside Vieira in midfield both for France and Arsenal, have also defended Blanc.
“If the question is should Blanc resign? I reply no,” said Lizarazu.
Petit added: “I think he has a strong personality but I think the case will not leave Laurent Blanc or the people who participated in this story unscathed.”
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