FIFA & France sign agreement on African Football

Football’s world governing body Fifa and the French Football Federation (FFF) have signed an agreement aimed at developing football in Francophone Africa.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino and FFF boss Noël Le Graët hope the deal will contribute to the Fifa “Forward Program” in terms of technical support.

“This agreement is a first for Fifa, it is symbolic and important, it is an example to be followed by others,” Infantino said at the signing of the agreement in Paris.

“France works a lot for the whole world, the French Football Federation opens its doors to other federations and helps those who need it, which is the essence of what we have to do in the past at Fifa and in this global sport that is football.”

The French colonial empire in sub-Saharan Africa collapsed more than 56 years ago, but ties have remained strong between France and Africa, and this latest agreement is viewed as part of a drive to raise standards in the sport.

The French Federation’s director general Florence Hardouin, added that they would “greatly help the development” of football in Francophone Africa via this “collaboration agreement” signed with Fifa.

Despite obvious football talent on the continent of Africa, only three nations Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana have reached the quarterfinals of the Fifa World Cup since the tournament began