LPIFF General Assembly: Paris Île-de-France League Returns

Île-de-France Football League Charts Course for Growth, addresses Key Challenges at Annual Assembly

The Paris Île-de-France Football League (LPIFF) convened its annual General Assembly on Saturday, December 20, at the Hôtel Méridien, outlining a year of financial stability and progress while tackling critical issues facing the sport at the regional level. The meeting,a cornerstone event for football leaders across Île-de-France,also marked a meaningful leadership transition.

A Year of Progress and Remembrance

The assembly began wiht a moment of remembrance for members of the Île-de-France football community who recently passed away, including young licensees, Thierry Defait, a former President of CA Paris and valued collaborator, and Brigitte hiegel, a pioneering figure in women’s football. President Jamel Sandjak opened the assembly, setting a tone of both reflection and forward momentum.

“It’s been a very rich year for us,” Sandjak stated, highlighting key areas of focus including declining youth participation, combating violence both on and off the pitch, and addressing issues of sexist and sexual violence (VSS). Despite these challenges, the League reported a strong financial position, enabling a “redistribution towards clubs and districts” totaling an exceptional €240,000 in aid. Progress at the Morfondé technical center and the launch of the Citizen Club Label were also emphasized.

Did you know? – The Île-de-France region is the most populous in France, making its football league particularly influential in shaping national trends and addressing challenges within the sport.

Combating Violence and Supporting Clubs

A key focus of the assembly was the ongoing effort to combat Sexist and Sexual violence (SGBV) and fieldside violence. A grant agreement was signed with Patrick Karam, Vice-President of the Île-de-France region, to fund the second phase of the League’s plan to address SGBV. This commitment underscores the LPIFF’s dedication to creating a safe and inclusive habitat for all participants.

The assembly also recognized the achievements of several standout clubs during the 2024-2025 season, including Paris 13 Atletico, AS Orange Issy, Sporting Club Paris, FC Fleury 91, FC 93 Bobigny, AAS Teal, JA Drancy, and Paris FC.

Pro tip – Clubs can strengthen their applications for League aid by demonstrating proactive measures to promote inclusivity and safety for all players and staff.

Deep Dive into League Operations and Finances

the “moral report,” a central component of the General Assembly, provided a comprehensive overview of the League’s activities. League officials detailed efforts to address declining license numbers at the youth level and improve access to training facilities. Working groups dedicated to key areas – including women’s football, arbitration, citizenship, and the Morfondé center – presented their progress and future plans.

A detailed financial report, presented by Treasurer Daniel Viard and accountant Thomas Descamps, confirmed the League’s healthy financial standing.Forecast reports for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 seasons, developed by General Director Sophie Germain, were also approved. All votes, including those pertaining to previous meeting minutes, financial accounts, and competition regulations, were unanimously approved by the assembly.

Reader question – What strategies do you think are most effective for increasing youth participation in football at the regional level? Share your thoughts!

Leadership Transition Announced

Concluding the assembly, President Sandjak announced the departure of General Director Sophie Germain. Germain received a warm send-off from representatives of the Île-de-France clubs, acknowledging her contributions to

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