Abdelatif Benazzi at Le Figaro: "A clan reigns over French rugby"

LE FIGARO. - It is the deconfinement for the campaign for the presidency of the FFR also. The two sides are back on the offensive…

Abdelatif BENAZZI .- The period of confinement having blocked the tour of the clubs, meetings are held every evening by videoconference. It works well. Each time there are around fifteen presidents of amateur clubs. And then, it's economical (laughs).

Why did you join the Florian Grill list?

I wanted to get involved in rugby. And it is first of all a question of men. I know Florian Grill well. He was the manager of the ACBB (Athletic club of Boulogne-Billancourt, Editor's note) when I trained with the elders after my career. With this club, we had led a citizen project: twice, we took 120 underprivileged kids from Boulogne-Billancourt to Morocco with Nour, my association. I was impressed with the value of this man. No one knows territorial and amateur rugby like him. Then there is real diversity in this list. A considerable number of international players - who have given a lot for French rugby and who are outraged to see it go into a spin - and representatives of the amateur world from all regions. Contrary to what is currently happening with a clan who reigns over French rugby.

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What do you blame the current leaders for?

First the findings. They have been there for three and a half years and the number of licensees has dropped by 45,000; finances are in deficit for the third consecutive year; the ratings of the XV of France decrease; the weariness of the volunteers, the small clubs which now have to make endless trips to play their games… There was conservatism in rugby, it's true. Laporte and his men went to meet the small clubs, proposed new things. They tried. We had to give them time, a chance. But the results are catastrophic.

That much ?

The deficit is playing with the jewels of the Federation. Cash is melting visibly. Then, it is the first time that there has been no increase in licensees following a World Cup. Finally, I feel uneasy. Values, state of mind are overused. Is it the role of the president of the FFR to announce the creation of a Club World Cup? He attacks professional clubs, disrespect to the president of the League (Paul Goze). He must take care of amateur rugby and the French team, not interfere in the work of others. What is it to constantly have the League (in charge of professional rugby) in sight, to want to dissolve it to manage rugby alone, without the slightest respect for institutions, club presidents? It is a band of raptors, who want to rule over everything and please friends. The Federation's payroll has increased by 12 million euros! But where are we going? We must stop all this. When we see the waste…

“There has been a lot of talk about a few dramas lately. But rugby is not about these accidents ”

What are your suggestions? How to boost the number of licensees?

First communicate again about the values ​​of rugby. Then train the educators. 30% of educators in rugby schools only are trained. It is unacceptable ! Promote volunteers too. Give back importance to the small clubs that are left out. Giving televisions or balloons is not enough. The promises fell through.

Florian Grill insists on school rugby…

It's primordial. I discovered rugby at school and I found my gym teachers in a club. It was an extraordinary achievement. I played in England where there are matches, championships everywhere. It’s so rewarding to represent your school, your high school, your university there. The FFR has only invested 400,000 euros in school development. It's nothing at all. We want to multiply this amount by ten. Bringing clubs closer to schools, colleges and high schools is our top priority for winning licensees. The benefits are unimaginable. For that, it is also necessary to reassure the parents. We've been talking a lot about a few dramas lately. But rugby is not about these accidents. It is necessary to favor the playful practices, to put forward the social bond, citizen. We are absent in this area. In rugby, children take charge, the values ​​of this sport help them to become good citizens. Rugby is not just about training players to become professional. The reverse is the same.

“I campaign to provide performance clubs with amateur clubs

You mentioned the volunteer crisis…

It is the role of the Federation to support volunteers. I campaign to provide performance clubs to amateur clubs. Not in terms of sporting results, no, but to help them better manage a small club, support them in administrative procedures, bookkeeping. To make these volunteers feel less alone, that they have a seat. To prevent them from getting fed up.

The FFR was the first federation in France to release money (€ 35 million) to help amateurs…

It is necessary to come to the aid of the clubs during this period, it is obvious and inescapable. But this € 35 million announcement was launched without consultation, without democratic debate within the FFR's steering committee. Since February there has only been one (mid-May). It was decided in a small group. And where did this money come from? Contributions that will not be paid, okay, but also from the seriously injured rugby fund. We tap into it. We are touching heritage, insurance money. It is debatable.

"The campaign is going to be tough, we know it, but we are not going to escape"

You seem very worried about the finances of the FFR.

Yes. We are wasting our heritage. It's easy when it's not your own money. We transfer Novès in an inadmissible way and it costs a million euros in compensation… We can remedy this by rigorous management, see where to save. To do this, you must first decide on a strategy. In a crisis situation, we do not start by spending huge amounts of money, making big announcements, spreading everything. No, you have to save the house first, because it starts to burn.

Bernard Laporte had stressed his wish to democratize the Federation…

(Cuts) It was his speech, yes. But, in reality, if we dare to simply ask a question, we are put aside. Opposition is the bane… The campaign will be tough, we know, but we will not escape. We expect disrespectful behavior, like this phase on Florian Grill ("Only his mother knows him," said Laporte ironically). It is not in our nature, that. I hate these methods.

"All this revolts me"

The election is still scheduled for October 3 despite your request, due to a campaign thwarted by confinement, that it be postponed until the spring of 2021. Do you regret it?

We sent a letter, the Federation did not answer us. If the deadline is maintained, we will not be surprised. We know the characters. It would not be normal, but we will be ready. We adapted.

Many regional league presidents supported Laporte for this election.

I respect them. But they are men of his own. And then it is not they who vote, but the presidents of the 2,000 amateur clubs. They are asked, however, to respect the freedom to vote, not to play this political role. I note above all that these leagues are like the FFR, with deficits often exceeding one million euros ... They do not serve small clubs in their region. All this revolts me.

Are you confident in your chances of winning?

Yes. We are supported by people who know the territorial issues of rugby perfectly. They are people dedicated to this sport, who bring concrete and adequate answers. Our list and program is based on people, not money. It is the opposite of what we are currently experiencing. We must stop destroying the foundations of rugby because, by force, the house will collapse.

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