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French Soccer Investigates Discrimination Report

French soccer officials have strongly denied accusations of racial discrimination after a report claimed that the federation agreed to reduce the number of black and Arab players in national training programs.
Did French Soccer Coach Restrict Number of Black Players? - French soccer authorities have begun investigating claims that national coach Laurent Blanc and other coaches secretly agreed on a quota, restricting the number of black and Arab players in training programs. The investigative Web site Mediapart said last week that the aim was to limit only 30 percent of players of African and North-African descent in training academies once they reached the age of 13. Blanc insists such a move was never discussed.(Photo by Francois Durand/Getty Images)

Francois Durand/Getty Images

Did French Soccer Coach Restrict Number of Black Players? - French soccer authorities have begun investigating claims that national coach Laurent Blanc and other coaches secretly agreed on a quota, restricting the number of black and Arab players in training programs. The investigative Web site Mediapart said last week that the aim was to limit only 30 percent of players of African and North-African descent in training academies once they reached the age of 13. Blanc insists such a move was never discussed.(Photo by Francois Durand/Getty Images)
By Samuel Petrequin, AP Sports Writer
April 29, 2011 / 1:52 PM

PARIS (AP) — French soccer officials have strongly denied accusations of racial discrimination after a report claimed that the federation agreed to reduce the number of black and Arab players in national training programs.

 

French federation president Fernand Duchaussoy and national team coach Laurent Blanc held separate news conferences Friday to say such a move was never discussed.

 

Investigative website Mediapart reported on Thursday that senior staff within the federation, including Blanc, approved proposals to limit to 30 percent the number of players of African and North-African descent once they reach 13 years old.

 

Speaking in Bordeaux, Blanc called the report "a lie." Duchaussoy said he's confident an investigation led by the French sports minister and the federation will provide information on the matter.

(Photo: Francois Durand/Getty Images)

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