For ten years, the LFP and the clubs have supported Bleuet de France. This almost century-old work provides material and human support to war wounded, soldiers in external operations, bereaved families, wards of the nation, as well as victims of terrorist attacks. Concretely, 25,000 beneficiaries receive aid from Bleuet de France which also finances educational transmission projects, to keep the duty of memory alive.
In 2024, Bleuet notably financed the preparation and participation of athletes in the Paris Paralympic Games, support for war wounded who are rebuilding through sport, New Year gifts for the wards of the nation, sweet packages for residents of labeled EHPADs, packages for soldiers planned for external operations or even educational workshops to bring the duty of memory to life.
In this context, the commitment of the LFP and the clubs has a double dimension. It aims to raise awareness and make known the Bleuet de France and to raise funds to enable it to carry out these numerous projects. Thus, on the eve of the November 11 commemorations, French professional football is mobilizing throughout the weekend on the occasion of the 11th day of Ligue 1 McDonald's and the 13th day of Ligue 2 BKT.
To embody this commitment, French professional football can count on the support of Frank Leboeuf, 1998 world champion and godfather of Bleuet de France for 4 years. Engaged in the LFP campaign, he is one of the most popular faces of the Bleuet de France and establishes an obvious link between the Bleuet and football.
To celebrate this link, the LFP and the clubs are launching a major digital campaign from November 7. Through an awareness-raising film entitled “The Color of Memory”, a parallel is created between the color of passion, embodied by the jerseys worn by the players on the field and the supporters in the stands, and the color of memory, represented by blue, that of the Bleuet de France.
This complete digital system will aim to give a very wide echo to the field system with exceptional visibility. This year again, all the players' jerseys will be adorned with Bleuet de France. For the first time, this flocking will be event-based. To celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Landing and Liberation of France, a special flower was developed by Bleuet de France. Each petal honors the allied forces (United Kingdom, United States, Canada) and a tricolor petal displays the cross of Lorraine. This flower is made in the center of France, in Allier, by an ESAT (establishment and service of aid through work) which works for the reintegration of people with disabilities, thus contributing to the fight against exclusion and against discrimination.
Alongside the players, coaches and referees will also wear the flower throughout the matches. The broadcasters of Ligue 1 McDonald's and Ligue 2 BKT are also mobilizing to support this initiative, as are all the journalists present in the stadiums who will display the Bleuet flower thanks to the support of the UJSF. Hundreds of thousands of spectators will also be made aware through animations on the giant screens in the stadiums and through the voices of the announcers.
These meetings will also be an exceptional moment for many beneficiaries thanks to the mobilization of the National Office for Combatants and Victims of War (ONaC-VG). Spread across 13 stadiums, 22 wards of the nation or veterans will have the honor of fictitiously kicking off the matches. In addition, more than a hundred beneficiaries of Bleuet de France will be in the stands to watch the matches.
For the fourth consecutive season, an exceptional auction of jerseys worn by Ligue 1 McDonald's players (including three ASSE jerseys) and Ligue 2 BKT during this special weekend will be organized on the official website of the Bleuet de France from Wednesday November 13, 2024. Over the last three seasons, these French football auctions have raised more than €160,000 for the benefit of the Bleuet de France endowment fund.
