FFF Announce Departure of CEO

The French Football Federation (FFF) has announced the departure of CEO Alain Resplandy-Bernard. The governing body cited the reason as being due to a difference of opinion with president Noel Le Graet over the future direction of the body.

The announcement comes as another destabilising act in what has been a turbulent year for the FFF. The national team’s dreadful performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup coincided with players refusing to train after striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home in disgrace following a falling out with coach Raymond Domenech.

Aside from the national team dispute at the World Cup, there have also been issues surrounding player bonuses and alleged race quotas.

An FFF statement read: “The implementation of the action plan of the Executive Committee-elect requires a perfect convergence of views between the president and the CEO. Mr Le Graet and Alain Resplandy-Bernard find that the natural time to build this convergence is not compatible with the short term of the new executive (18 months).”

Resplandy-Bernard was only appointed CEO on February 25, while Le Graet was elected to replace Fernand Duchaussoy as president in June. Le Graet had announced there would be a significant “staff restructuring” and a “revised organisational chart” under the new regime as the FFF seeks desperately needed stability ahead of an important period as France prepares to host UEFA Euro 2016.