Football: former FFF president Claude Simonet dies at 92
President of the French Football Federation (FFF) from 1994 to 2005, Claude Simonet died overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday at the age of 92, we learned on Wednesday March 15. He will forever be associated with the victory of the Blues in the 98 World Cup.
The former president of the FFF between 1994 and 2005 Claude Simonet died on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, we learned this Wednesday, March 15 at the age of 92. He will forever be nicknamed “the president of the 1998 World Cup”, won by the Blues in France.
A former amateur goalkeeper, he notably passed through the ranks of US Le Mans and FC Nantes. After his career on the meadows, he rose through the ranks of French football to reach the top of the French Football Federation. It was his family who informed the French Football Federation of his death.
A career in French football authorities
In 1970, he began his management career as treasurer of the Loire-Atlantique district before joining those of deputy vice-president in charge of finance at FC Nantes between 1972 and 1984. In 1984, he became president of the Ligue Atlantic until 2000 when he became a member of the UEFA Executive Committee until 2002.
He will also have been treasurer of the FFF between 1992 and 1994, two years during which he crossed paths with Noel Le Graet before trying his luck at the presidency after the resignation of Jean Fournet-Fayard following the Furiani disaster.
The revival of the federation
Now at the head of the federation after the failures of the Blues at Euro 1992 but especially following the terrible non-participation in the World Cup in the United States in 1994, Claude Simonet will experience the most beautiful page in history. French soccer.
After a semi-final loss against the Czechs at Euro 1996, Claude Simonet will be the president of the double success at the 1998 World Cup on French territory, and two years later of the success at the 2000 European Championship against the Italy thanks to David Trezeguet’s golden goal.
An end of presidency in the controversy
After this double continental and international success, the French team was eliminated in the first round of the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan. A counter-performance which will have disastrous consequences on the finances of the federation.
He left his post at the head of the federation in February 2005 after a disappointing Euro 2004 but especially before a scandal in 2005. use of forgery and obstruction of the mission of the auditor” for having been accused of being at the origin of the concealment of approximately 14 million euros in the accounts of the FFF.
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