France’s striking stars have won their battle, as women’s national team head coach Corinne Diacre was fired on Thursday.
A French federation (FFF) executive committee recommended the action after a meeting, following a revolt against Diacre’s leadership by some of the French team’s biggest stars.
“This fracture has reached a point of no return which harms the interests of the national team,” the FFF said in a statement.
“Although the FFF recognizes the involvement and seriousness of Corinne Diacre and her staff in the exercise of their mission, it appears that the dysfunctions observed seem, in this context, irreversible.”
Last month, three of France’s biggest stars — Wendie Renard, Kadidiatou Diani, and Marie-Antoinette Katoto — all announced they would sit out this summer’s World Cup amid continuing dissatisfaction with the national team environment.
Diacre’s exit is part of a clear-out at the FFF, as president Noël Le Graët resigned last month amid allegations of sexual harassment.
Originally appointed in 2017, Diacre has clashed with a number of her top players over the years and has been accused of fostering a toxic environment with the national team.
“Winning a title with this coach seems impossible to me,” France goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi said on her international retirement in 2020. “We play in a very, very negative environment. I don’t see myself winning anything with this manager, and a lot of players think so too but don’t say it.”
Some of France’s biggest stars have been exiled under Diacre, including Amandine Henry, Eugénie Le Sommer and Gaëtane Thiney. Diacre also stripped Renard of her captaincy in 2017 before restoring the defender to the role four years later.
Renard, Diani and Katoto did not mention Diacre by name when confirming their step back from the national team, but the announcements had the unmistakable air of a revolt against the coach.
The day before she was sacked, Diacre released a defiant statement accusing her detractors of slander and lies.
With Diacre now gone, it is unclear if the trio will return to the France setup. If not, it would be a massive blow to the team’s chances of winning its first women’s World Cup this summer.
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