FFF slammed over Blanc slip

Bordeaux boss a target to replace Domenech

Last updated: 9th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

FFF slammed over Blanc slip

Blanc: Target for FFF

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One of Bordeaux's major shareholders has slammed the French Football Federation (FFF) for revealing Laurent Blanc is being lined up to replace Raymond Domenech as national team boss after the 2010 World Cup.

FFF chairman Jean-Pierre Escalettes stands accused of letting the news slip and Nicolas de Tavernost - chairman of French TV channel M6 - fears the revelation could unsettle Blanc at a crucial stage of the season.

Tavernost told L'Equipe: "The FFF should leave Laurent Blanc in peace and concentrate their efforts on leading France to victory in South Africa. That is a very simple, isn't it?

"All this turmoil is absurd. You can't go around naming people as and when you want, you have to show respect to both players and clubs alike.

"Bordeaux are strong, as is Laurent Blanc, but Escalettes' announcement was inappropriate and ill-timed, and he knows it.

"We want Laurent Blanc to remain with Les Girondins as long as possible. If we can keep him for 10 years, we will keep him for 10 years. Please leave us alone."

Blanc fuming

Meanwhile, Blanc has blasted the FFF itself for allowing a fixture pile-up which will see Bordeaux play four matches in 10 days.

The Ligue 1 champions travel to St Etienne on Sunday, face Lorient in a League Cup semi-final tie the following Wednesday, and play Auxerre on Saturday 20 before the Champions League clash against Olympiakos on Tuesday 23.

Blanc wants the fixture against Auxerre to be postponed and has threatened to field a reserve team against Lorient if the FFF fail to grant him his wish.

He said: "The FFF are supposed to offer their teams the best condition to prepare for a Champions League match, but how can you say we are protected? We have to play four games in 10 days.

"As we can't arrange an earlier kick-off against Auxerre, I would like to have it postponed. If the league refuses, the reserves will play at Lorient."

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