Why is the situation of the French women’s soccer team concerned 5 months before the World Cup?
After announcing her retirement from the France football team, France team captain Wendie Renard justified her choice. She explains the problems of the women’s team, which are obviously not from yesterday.
It was a real shock in the world of football, this Friday February 24th, Wendie Renard, a real pillar of the French team, announces his retirement on Instagram. In her post she says, no longer support the current system, far from the top-level requirements “. In an interview with TF1, the Olympique Lyonnais player elaborated on this decision. She explains that a lot needs to change: ” It’s complicated to really say things, because these are things in the dressing room, you need more requirements, the cursor needs to go up, you need more work, it’s a staff, it’s a whole, necessarily c, it’s the Coach who drives so her name will come up but it’s a tout,” she explains, before adding, “ It’s been years since we all wished it got better, meant more. When you see other countries go by, tell yourself we’ve missed something or that we’re sleeping. »
It’s a powerful decision, coming three days after winning the Tournoi de France, but even more so five months before the Women’s World Cup, scheduled for next summer in Australia and New Zealand. A competition the Blues have never won. Especially since the Bleues are deprived of other players such as goalscorer Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Kadidiatou Diani or even Perle Morroni who have chosen to follow their captain.
Coach Corinne Deacon has been under fire for some time given the mediocre results of the French women’s team. Indeed, Wendie Renard is not the first to sound the alarm. In 2020, former goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi said it was “impossible to win a title with this coach”, describing a ” very negative climate “. Amandine Henry, then former captain of the team, had also decided to speak out about the management of the team after being sacked for no apparent reason. Other players are full of her too”, It’s been a while since I got feedback from all the girls, pretty strong and negative, says the France international “. The former captain also thinks that this is why she is no longer selected. We really wanted to talk privately and be frank with each other about what was going on. I think the coach heard about the President calling her afterwards, which she misunderstood. I think the problem comes from there ».
A problem in another country
This isn’t the first time a female selection has faced scandal. In February, the Canada women’s team went on strike to denounce a lack of consideration for the men’s team. Faced with threats of legal sanctions from their federation, they were forced to end their movement.
Fifteen Spanish players left the selection after sending an email saying it affected the national team’s situation as well as differences with coach Jorge Vilda. seriously their emotional state “. They were not supported by their federation, which claimed they could not ” question the continuity of the national coach and his technical staff because these decisions are not within their competence ».
… by Julie Aubry
