France team: for Jessica Houara, "there is a real problem, things must change"

Colin Abgrall 9:51 PM, Feb 24, 2023, amended at 9:51 PM, Feb 24, 2023

INTERVIEW

French international between 2008 and 2018 but also ex-player of PSG or Olympique Lyonnais, Jessica Houara, now a consultant for Canal +, reacted to the step back on the France team from Wendie Renard , then imitated by Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto.

The words chosen by the players question the coach Corinne Deacon and her staff: "More in line with the management", or "I can no longer endorse the current system, far from the requirements required by the high level".

"A feeling of helplessness"

First, Jessica Houara welcomes "a strong decision" from Wendie Renard and "striking, because it is the second captain under the mandate of Corinne Deacon who gives her opinion" (Editor's note: Amandine Henry had already castigated the coach in 2020, when she had not been retained in the blue group.) "A lot of things must have happened for several years. I was quite surprised by Wendie's (Renard) decision. She is holding on strongly in the blue jersey. It's a very strong choice so things have to happen that shouldn't suit him.

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"She wants her mind to be fine. It's very sad especially a few months before the World Cup, it's not the best preparation. There is a real problem", she underlines.

There is, in these press releases, a feeling of helplessness and an obligation to make choices against the heart to be heard: “Knowing Wendie, he is someone who does not like to make big scandals. is the same for 'Kadi' (Kadidiatou Diani, editor's note) and Marie-Antoinette. Something is happening and they do not feel listened to at the federation and above. They have the impression that it is the only way to do shake things up. It's a shame it's come to this." 

“They are all three in agreement on the subject”

The former international assures her, no consultation between the three interested parties took place when the decision to withdraw from the team was taken: "For having discussed with Marie-Antoinette Katoto, she made the decision once that Wendie did it because she agreed with her captain. It wasn't a collegiate decision. All three are in agreement on the matter."

When discussing the future of the coach and the next evolution of the situation, the consultant for Canal + remained evasive: "It's complicated when you're not inside the selection and you don't know not exactly what is happening. What is certain is that there is a real big problem, knowing that there had already been precedents. But there, there are these three emblematic players of the France team. We thought it had calmed down but in the end not at all. It can't go on like this, in this atmosphere. Our France team needs serenity, especially before major competitions. We have to make decisions , that things move and in particular to the federation compared to this women's French team. Otherwise, we are going straight into the wall." 

Les Bleues find themselves orphaned by their captain with 141 selections, but also by two of their greatest attacking talents.

For the moment, no other player has joined this protest movement.

The World Cup is approaching, it will be played in July and August 2023 in New Zealand and Australia.

To hope to see Wendie Renard, Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto there, Corinne Deacon will probably have to leave.

Otherwise, the France team will be deprived of some of its best players.