France stormed by dual nationality football quota scandal

French football has found itself in the headlines for the wrong reasons over alleged plans on quotas restricting young players with dual nationality in training academies.

Former France star Blanc is currently under investigation after it was reported that he had allegedly discussed with other officials a plan for a quota, designed to limit the number of 12- and 13-year-old black and Arab hopefuls (dual nationals) in youth training centres to around 30 per cent.

Blanc initially denied any knowledge of the quota proposal. When Mediapart published a transcript of the tape, he issued a qualified apology. “I admit some remarks made during a work meeting, taken out of their context, may be misinterpreted. As far as I am concerned, I apologise if I have hurt some feelings. But I, who am against any form of discrimination, do not accept being accused of racism or xenophobia,” he said in a statement.

He added that the only point of the meeting was to “discuss the future of French football and deal with the delicate problem of players with dual nationality”.

The affair has sparked controversy internationally.

Zidane keeps silent

The French public opinion is egger to hear former star Zinedine Zidane saying something about the controversial issue, given that he is of Algerian descent and who used to be one of the key players of the glorious squad which lifted the World Cup in 1998. Zizou is still keeping quite; maybe he wants to wait a little longer to see clearer. 

Meanwhile, French Sports minister Chantal Jouanno will announce on Monday the initial findings of a probe into alleged racial discrimination within the country’s soccer federation.

“I want to bring serenity because what is happening is dramatic for football and for sport,” Jouanno, who has backed Blanc, told reporters as she confirmed her first report would land on Monday.

“You cannot accuse Laurent Blanc of being racist and we must tell everyone to remind themselves of the wonderful image of France ’98.”

Blanc, slammed by some of his France ’98 team mates such as Patrick Vieira, has denied being racist and said any comments he made at a November meeting into dual nationality players were taken out of context but could “offend some sensibilities”.

Since investigative website Mediapart first broke the story on alleged quotas, a ministry and separate federation inquiry have been set up with the latter due to make its first report on Tuesday although that could be delayed.

The latest information published by Mediapart is a chart which it says was circulated internally at the federation and identifies young players with dual nationalities who were likely to choose to play for teams other than France.

“What we should look at is what this chart was really about,” added Jouanno, who declined to say when Blanc would be heard by the inquiries given he is on holiday in Italy.

“The date of the hearing is confidential, I promised him,” she said.

“He is in the process of reviving the France team and he instils values. Now we must find a solution to the crisis.”

France endured a woeful World Cup last year and their players even went on strike but they are top of their Euro 2012 qualifying group under their new coach.

France ’98 captain Didier Deschamps, now coach of Olympique Marseille, fully backed his friend Blanc.

“I am very sorry for Laurent because people are attacking the man, not the coach or the educator,” Deschamps told reporters.

“Freedom of expression exists, so does freedom to stay quiet. Two inquiries are underway. They are there to find answers to determine the degree of responsibility of each person.

“Laurent Blanc is the coach and I hope he stays for as long as possible. There is not the least ambiguity.”

Blanc resign denied

Rumours suggested Blanc offered to quit ahead of a meeting with FFF chiefs next week, but the federation insists there has been no talk of Blanc stepping down from his role with Les Bleus. “I’ve spoken to him on the telephone,” the FFF’s chief press officer Philippe Tournon told AFP.

“We spoke about him coming to Paris for the hearing and about what could happen afterwards. But at no time did we speak about the [resignation].”

A spokesman for the FFF added: “The French football federation formally denies any report which claims Laurent Blanc has tendered his resignation.”