French Football Coach Laurent Blanc keeps job after race controversy
News Agencies – May 12, 2011
France football coach Laurent Blanc has kept his job after being cleared of wrongdoing in the racial discrimination controversy. The French Football Federation said that it “renews its entire confidence in Laurent Blanc”. Blanc attended a meeting in November at which federation members discussed the idea of a quota for players with dual nationality in youth academies. The majority of the players in question are of black or Arab origin. FFF president Fernand Duchaussoy said: “The [FFF’s] federal council has taken note that no discrimination was ever put in place.”
Blaquart used the word “quotas” in the meeting, while Blanc has admitted he also made comments which could “offend some sensibilities”. Influential French great Zinedine Zidane, have offered him their support. Blanc is rebuilding the France team following their disastrous showing at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa under former coach Raymond Domenech.
