Sunday evening, in the corridors of the Auguste-Delaune stadium. Stade de Reims has just won 2-1 against Rennes. Just before arriving in the mixed zone in front of the media, Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot is smiling as he meets the Rennes board one last time, including sports director Frédéric Massara. He takes the opportunity to slip in substance to the Breton club’s leaders not to forget to vote right on September 10th at the LFP.
But on Monday morning, the president of Reims decided to call his Rennes counterpart Olivier Cloarec according to several sources. A “cordial” exchange in which Jean-Pierre Caillot subtly slipped to his interlocutor to give his support to the current president Vincent Labrune. The Rennes manager listened attentively but wanted to give himself time to think, before taking a few vacations. Contacted by RMC Sport, Jean-Pierre Caillot denied these exchanges. “Olivier Cloarec is free to do what he wants and I don’t influence anyone”, said the main person concerned.
Nasser Al-Khelaïfi not convinced by Cyril Linette’s program
For weeks, Labrune and Linette have been sending each other phone calls and flirtatious messages. The former PMU boss, aware that Nasser Al-Khelaïfi’s voice carries weight, took the time to talk with the man behind PSG’s institutions: Victoriano Melero. Enough to change the position of the president of the capital club, a supporter of Vincent Labrune? That’s not the trend. In private, the relationship between NAK and the current president of the LFP has had its ups and downs. But Cyril Linette’s program does not seem to have convinced the Qatari leader. Al-Khelaïfi is more aware than ever of the mistakes that French football has made in recent cycles. But he wants continuity in the League, with a president capable of managing television rights and especially relations with other bodies such as FIFA.
The last voice that may count during the September 10 elections is that of Laurent Nicollin. The head of Foot Unis has publicly reaffirmed that he supports Vincent Labrune. “He has done more good things than bad,” declared the leader of the MHSC, who is also active behind the scenes.
There remains Arnaud Rouger, current CEO of the League, who forms a real duo with Vincent Labrune as the current president of the LFP indicated during his hearing with the families of French football. Rouger contacted Red Star boss Patrice Haddad last week to explain the strong points of Vincent Labrune’s candidacy. One thing is certain, the 17 members of the League’s board of directors will have to decide on September 10, just after electing the club representatives during a general meeting.
- RMC Sport
