Europe 1 with AFP 18:20 p.m., March 15, 2023

The former president of the French Football Federation Claude Simonet died on Wednesday at the age of 92. He was in charge of the institution when the France team first won the World Cup in 1998. Previously, he was a goalkeeper, notably at Le Mans and FC Nantes between 1948 and 1958.

Former French Football Federation president Claude Simonet has died at the age of 92, the FFF announced Wednesday. The leader, established in local bodies in Loire-Atlantique and Nantes, had chaired the FFF from 1994 to 2005, the France team winning during his mandate its first world title, in 1998. He had previously had a career as an amateur footballer, notably at Le Mans and Nantes, where the current coach Didier Deschamps also went.

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"A leader who marked the history" of football, greets Deschamps

"With the death of Claude Simonet, French football has lost a leader who marked the history of our sport since he was our President when we had the pleasure of winning the World Cup in 1998 (...) then Euro 2000," Deschamps said in a statement. "He brought the France Team back on the path to success. I will keep strong images of him, of intense happiness."

The interim president of the FFF Philippe Diallo for his part showed his "deep affection" for the former leader, and a "great respect" for his career. "He took the reins of the Federation when it was going through turbulence and put it back on track," he added.