A new kind of electoral campaign is opening for the presidency of the French Football Federation (FFF). One month before the Federal Assembly on December 14, which will crown the next boss of French football, two candidates face off: the outgoing president, elected in June 2023, Philippe Diallo, and the former general director of the Ligue du amateur football and former number 3 of the FFF, Pierre Samsonoff, officially supported by the former boss of the “3F” Noël Le Graët (2011-2023).
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Under the law of March 2, 2022 aimed at democratizing sport in France, the FFF modified its statutes and expanded its electoral college. From now on, around 13,000 people will vote, on December 10 and 11, via an online voting platform – compared to several hundred “electors” between 2011 and 2021 – and the distribution of votes has changed.
Until now divided between amateurs (63% of the votes) and professionals (37%), the votes are now split equally between the presidents of amateur clubs, the bosses of professional clubs and the representatives of regional leagues and departmental districts. Furthermore, the number of members of the body’s executive committee is expanded to 28 (including 21 from the victorious list) – compared to 14 previously.
Desired by Mr. Diallo then by his executive committee to “boost the democratic process”a new system has been put in place. From now on, the FFF reimburses the campaign costs of lists having received at least 10% of the votes, within the limit of a ceiling set at 50,000 euros. Eligible expenses, which will be duly controlled, are “costs of designing and sending a program, communication services, travel and room rental”details the instance. But they do not include “food and reception expenses”.
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How will each list finance this campaign which will end on December 8? Where his predecessor, Noël Le Graët, a multimillionaire businessman, had himself financed each of his campaigns, the president of the FFF opened a dedicated bank account and intends “rely on the new system” et “keep this budget of 50,000 euros”an agent and an accountant responsible for verifying expenses and transmitting his campaign accounts to the control body. Philippe Diallo wishes to travel through the 13 metropolitan leagues during his campaign.
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