2024-01-26 09:47:49
“I tell you with great humility and respect: I find myself facing you in spite of myself. » Patrick Vieira set the tone, on September 13, as he began his interview before the commission of inquiry “relating to the identification of operational failures within French sports federations, the sports movement and organizations governance of the sporting world with public service delegation”. The hearing will only last around forty minutes, making it the shortest among those interviewed by parliamentarians.
The 1998 world champion was summoned to this commission in particular to discuss racism and all forms of discrimination present in high-level sport and, more particularly, football. In the report of this hearing, now public, President Béatrice Bellamy (Horizons) questions Patrick Vieira in a long introduction on these different subjects. Before he cuts it short: “I can understand your approach and the results you expect, but, personally, I do not wish to be part of the panel or share my experience in football. »
President Béatrice Bellamy then responds: “The goal of the commission of inquiry is for business to stop, but also and above all to provide concrete solutions and to build with the sports movement a collective of ideas and proposals. For this, we need each of you, who have known and know the different interlocutors. » Before Patrick Vieira retorts: “I would like you to respect my choice not to speak before the commission. » The latter criticizing in particular that, despite the closed doors of this hearing, it is “never respected”.
“I hope that, in a few months or a few years, I will regret my choice”
Throughout this hearing, Patrick Vieira repeatedly expresses his annoyance at the lack of progress in the fight against racism and discrimination. The former Arsenal player elaborates: “There is no improvement. We can wear t-shirts against racism or against any kind of violence, that’s still politics; This is what I condemn and this is why I am against this type of commission. It’s politics, it’s – excuse me for the term – bla-bla; upon arrival, there is nothing concrete. And it’s been going on for years. (…) This commission is yet another commission (…) Your work is of no use. »
Relaunched on the quota affair – in November 2010, the possibility of establishing quotas to limit foreign players who choose another selection was discussed at the FFF – Patrick Vieira points out a report which was of “no use” “. “You are hearing me while knowing that other commissions have already carried out the same work, delivered conclusions but that nothing has been done subsequently,” he adds. Before concluding: “I hope that, in a few months or a few years, I will regret my choice: that will mean that you have moved things forward.”
This Tuesday, January 23, the final report of the commission of inquiry was made public. It includes 62 recommendations, including 12 devoted to the fight against hatred and discrimination in sport.
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