On December 8, when the disciplinary committee of the LFP had not yet delivered its verdict on the OL-OM match (arrested in the 3rd minute), the communications director of Olympique de Marseille, Jacques Cardoze , had presented himself in front of the journalists present in front of the offices of the League to push a big rant against the LFP. Words that did not really please the National Council of Ethics.
“The National Council of Ethics strongly condemns the remarks made by Mr. Jacques CARDOZE, communication director of Olympique de Marseille, on December 8, 2021, in front of the headquarters of the Professional Football League, on the occasion of the meeting of the Disciplinary Commission called to rule on the incidents which arose during the match between Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique de Marseille. Mr. Cardoze indeed declared, among other words, even though the decision had not yet been announced, that “the disciplinary commission is illegitimate (…) parody of justice (…) all that c ‘ is a shame for French football (…) today we do not recognize this disciplinary commission… ”Such a declaration is inadmissible and irresponsible. It is not acceptable to come before the media at the headquarters of the LFP without being invited, to put “pressure” on its judges, to try to discredit bodies without knowing how it works and to fall into such populism. The disciplinary committee of the LFP is perfectly legitimate and independent, made up of people of integrity and concerned with the application of the rule of law. The process employed is all the more unsuitable since the decision was not yet known; it would have been interesting later to hear Mr Cardoze speak on a decision in accordance with his wishes. We are in a state of law and it is up to the clubs dissatisfied with the decisions of the committees to possibly draw the legal consequences and not to indulge in insignificant remarks which are not up to the security stakes. The CNE considers that the duty to set an example must more than ever guide the words and behavior of the various components of football ”, indicates the press release published on the official website of the FFF.
