Beaten by the waves but does not break. The famous Latin motto (“Fluctuat Nec Mergitur”) suited to Vincent Labrune. Especially a September 10. As a year ago, the former OM leader is rather reinforced with a vote likely to weaken it.
In 2024, the danger and the stake were even greater. It was a question of being re -elected at the head of the LFP despite all -out criticism. His governance, his salary, his proximity to Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and Bein Sports, the disastrous sale of TV rights in Dazn … Labrune knew himself attacked but he had succeeded, by dismissing the other declared candidate, Cyril Linette. An election that his opponents had described as a democratic scandal.
This time, it was a question of keeping hands on his departure. In a few weeks or months, the 54 -year -old Orleans must give way. Faced with the rise of Nicolas de Tavernost to LFP Media on the one hand, and from Philippe Diallo to the FFF on the other, Labrune has gradually lost in influence. One embodying the new Ligue 1 +channel, the other by organizing its Estates General of Football last spring. A bill is supposed to engrave in marble the disappearance of the Stricto Sensu league. A reform supported by Labrune himself, repeats those around him.
His main opponent beaten but …
However, it is impossible to say exactly when he leaves his function, due to the current instability in progress. While waiting for this deadline, the fight of the moment was elsewhere: Labrune now has the assurance that he will not be ejected prematurely by his peers. This certainty, he officially acquired it this Wednesday by seeing the identity of the three new L1 clubs of L1 elected on the board of directors appear. There were four for three positions on the starting line (Fabrice Bocquet in Nice, Loïc Féry in Lorient, Waldemar Kita in Nantes and Jean-Michel Roussier in Le Havre). As a reminder, all the clubs of L1 and L2 voted as well as family representatives (players, coaches, doctors, referees).
And the big beat is called Roussier, the only one to have systematically disparaged in recent seasons. Particularly on the agreement concluded with the CVC investment fund and the privileges granted to large clubs in the payment of international TV rights.
The Labrune camp tackles “a noisy minority”
Contacted, the Norman manager did not wish to answer us. In the entourage of Vincent Labrune, it is obviously another song. We welcome this result which makes it impossible, except huge twist, a potential eviction in an extraordinary general assembly.
“This election sends a clear signal: the so-called governance problems denounced by some are only a fiction,” said, Revanchard, the Parisian. As in any organization, there is a silent majority that works and a noisy minority that is agitated. In football, this minority feeds on the conflict, stirs up tensions and seeks to exist by controversy, often with a good dose of bad faith. But, in the end, the representatives of French football do not allow themselves to be deceived. »»
The noisy minority will recognize. Two men in particular, the owner of OM Frank McCourt and the president of Lens Joseph Oughourlian. The latter have multiplied the tackles supported in recent days upstream of the ballot to alarm the financial and institutional situation of the LFP.
Roussier still obtained the majority of votes
The communication operation therefore did not have the expected effects. This will undoubtedly reassure another man: the president of PSG Nasser al-Khelaïfi, whom his opponents describe as the great authorizing officer of French foot football.
But the score obtained by Jean-Michel Roussier still says many of the divisions that weigh the elite. According to our information, Le Havrais obtained 50.67 % of the votes, a majority of the votes. It is less than its competitors (84.75 % for Bocquet, 76.68 % for Kita and 60.09 % for Féry), but anything but ashamed.
From this point of view, the behavior to the board of directors of Waldemar Kita will be monitored. The boss of FC Nantes sometimes blew hot and cold in his relationships with Labrune.
See also if this new episode of turbulence will have repercussions among lovers of Ligue 1. Because the only issue that is worth today, regardless of the “political color” of club presidents is to retain football fans behind their screen. And not sure that these tinged bibes of opportunism and personal resentments are the best way to do it.
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