Eugenie, how did the professional footballer that you are experienced the confinement?
Eugénie Le Sommer: It was a special moment for everyone and especially for us, the players, with a break from March 15th to June 15th. It was the first time in my life that I cut training for so long but I managed to live it quite well. At the start, I was even hopeful that the season would resume but as I moved forward in time, doubt set in. I admit that when I heard that the season was over, it hurt. But during this period, I was lucky to be at home with an outside and I was able to do my daily training sessions. I was not to be pitied.
How do you manage the virus on a daily basis as a top athlete?
We are tested two days before each meeting. Since the resumption of June 15, we must be at six or seven tests I believe. We are careful in the locker room, we do not kiss each other for example, but we can not adopt a distance of one meter everywhere. And off the pitch, I am extremely careful.
The model of women's football in France is still fragile, are you afraid of the consequences that the health crisis could have on the development of your sport?
Yes, there is great uncertainty. The French championship has not yet found economic stability but everything is a question of will. If professional clubs want to give themselves the means to have a women's team, they will. It is not in the girls' budget that the clubs are going to cut, especially since the amounts are not the same as for the boys ... But times are hard for everyone, we must resist.
Did your management ask you to make a financial effort to get through the crisis?
Yes it was mentioned and a majority of the group accepted and it is something that was done.
"I did not feel more people in the stadiums in the league after the World Cup"
Eugenie Le SommerOne year after the World Cup organized in France, is the momentum around women's football still visible?
I am very happy with the way the World Cup was highlighted by the media and the fact that it is on TV on the main channels. Our biggest victory is to have popularized women's football. After that, it's true that it hasn't changed so much about our championship. The TV rights will be renegotiated, the number of licensees has increased but I did not feel more people in the stadiums. I still expected a higher impact from this point of view ...
You are also particularly committed to actions to develop women's football ...
Yes, I really want to support all initiatives around my sport. This notably involves a role of ambassador with a partner, Visa, which has a real development project for football, whether in France or abroad. It is a brand known worldwide. It is also a sign that women's football is developing and attracting more and more.
How do you perceive the phenomenon of the American Megan Rapinoe?
I know her a little. She is a woman of convictions, an icon but not only for women's football. She almost became a political figure. I'm happy for this great player but I don't have her militant state of mind. I have a promotional role because our society doesn't talk enough about women's sport but I don't want to become a politician! (laughs) I stay in my role as a player. It is through my performances that I will be able to promote our sport and give a little girl to play football.
"Before talking about equal pay, let's start by ensuring that our championship is completely professional"
Eugenie Le SommerAmerican players are asking for equal pay between girls and boys in selections. What is your position on the subject?
In France, we are only at the beginning of the development of our sport. Before we talk about equal pay, let's start by making our championship completely professional. Then wages will naturally increase. We must remain lucid, talking about equal pay for men and women is premature. Men's football has decades behind it and its economic system is huge compared to ours. The situation in the United States is nevertheless special because the Americans are world champions and take all the titles for their federation compared to the men, which is not yet our case (laughs). But I want us to be respected for what we have done and that we are considered professional sportswomen.
You will face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League this Saturday, are OL ready?
The staff worked very well to make it happen. The final of the Coupe de France against Paris SG was a good preparation (victory on penalties, 0-0, 4-3 tab). We are not at 100% but we are getting closer, there are only a few adjustments to be made to be on top at the start of the competition. As we know, we have the label of favorites since we have held the title for four editions. We will still be the team to beat, we know that.
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