The two attackers of the French women’s team and Paris SG Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto announced Friday their withdrawal from Les Bleues, after that of their captain Wendie Renard, five months from the 2023 World Cup. Both are calling for “necessary changes” in the management of the French women’s team, in press releases published on social networks a few hours after that of Renard, which pinned a “current system far from the requirements required by the highest level” and made the same decision to “take a step back”.
“No individuality is above the France team”, says the FFF
“The FFF wishes to recall that no individuality is above the institution of the France team”, reacted the French Football Federation (FFF) on Friday after the withdrawal of three of the executives of the women’s selection. “The FFF has taken note of the statements of Wendie Renard, Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto. Its executive committee, meeting on February 28, will take up the issue on this occasion”, added the “3F” in a press release published a few hours after the announcements of Renard, Diani and Katoto, all three calling for changes in the management of the France team.
Wave of departures five months from the Women’s World Cup
Five months before the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (July 20-August 20), the three most emblematic players have therefore left the selection, led since 2017 by Corinne Deacon. The coach, not pinned by name by the three players in their messages, nevertheless finds herself under pressure like the French Football Federation, already mired in a crisis of governance with the future of President Noël Le Graët which is written in dotted lines.
“Following the press release from our captain and in view of the recent results and management in the French team, I announce to you that I am suspending my international obligations in order to concentrate on my club career. First fan of the French team, if the changes deep necessary finally arrive, I will return to the service of the tricolor jersey”, wrote Diani, current top scorer of D1 women.
Her partner Katoto, currently injured, evokes for her part “the events of 2019” (she had not been selected for the World Cup in France, editor’s note) and “the injury of 2022” to justify her position. “I am no longer in line with the management of the France team and the values transmitted”, writes the top scorer of the last three seasons of D1 women.