France coach cleared in ‘race row’

• Blanc absolved of blame following government inquiry • ‘There is nothing to suggest he condones discrimination’ The France coach, Laurent Blanc, has been absolved of any blame following the controversy surrounding alleged plans to limit the presence of ethnic minority players in the national set-up. It was recently claimed that proposals were made at a meeting last November to restrict the numbers of black players and those of north African origin entering national training centres and academies at the age of 12. Blanc was said to have been present, along with the French Football Federation technical director, François Blaquart, the Under-21 coach, Erick Mombaerts, and the Under-20 coach, Francis Smerecki. The French sports minister, Chantal Jouanno, said: “Laurent Blanc was present for the first time at this type of meeting. He wasn’t organiser or pilot. He discovered the debate about quotas. “He offered no opinions, unlike other participants at the meeting who were prepared for this debate. There is nothing to suggest that Laurent Blanc condones discriminatory guidelines.” France France Race issues guardian.co.uk

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