The French Football Office in China founded in Beijing

The French Football Federation (FFF) and the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) jointly held a press conference today in Beijing, on the setting up of their new “French Football Office in China.” Mr. Patrick Kanner, the Minister of French Youth, Public Education, City Life and Sports, Mr. Noel Le Graet, the President of the FFF, Ms. Nathalie Boy de la Tour, the President of the LFP and many other representatives connected with French football and sports were in attendance at the press conference.  

The Office in China is being jointly set up by the FFF and LFP. This move by the French is the first time that the government and football association of a country have opened an office in China.

Mr. Romuald Nguyen, the Head of Institutional and International Affairs will be in charge of the French Football Office in China. They are also on the lookout for a Chinese professional to jointly manage this office and to take care of its business development in China, and the right person will be announced next week.

The objectives of the Office include: to export the French football training system; to improve the profile of the French leagues in China; to enhance interaction and cooperation with China; to support the development and strategic plans of French football clubs in China; to look for broadcast partners in China; to popularize French football events and look for sponsors in China.

At the press conference, Mr. Patrick Kanner, the Minister of French Youth, Public Education, City Life and Sports, says that he hopes China will soon be able to participate in big international football events. And he believes that China will definitely achieve this with the great efforts that are now underway. France is similar to China in this way and so the two countries can share experiences and learn from each other. 

Ms. Nathalie Boy de la Tour, the President of LFP, hopes that the French Football Office in China will become the main supporting point of Sino-French soccer, and help French football clubs to build a good reputation, as well as gaining more partners. 

Proofread by Sean O Diobhilin