France captain, Wendie Renard, will not play at 2023 World Cup to preserve mental health. Image via Twitter @womenstransfer
France captain, Wendie Renard will not play at 2023 World Cup
Wendie Renard is stepping away from the French National team and its current regime to focus on her mental health.
France captain, Wendie Renard, will not play at 2023 World Cup to preserve mental health. Image via Twitter @womenstransfer
Wendie Renard is stepping away from the French National team and its current regime to focus on her mental health.
Wendie Renard is a 32-year-old defender who has made 142 appearances for France. She spent her entire career at Lyon as they rose to become the dominant force in European women’s football.
They have won 15 Division 1 Feminine titles, nine Coupes de France, and eight Champions League trophies.
She was joined by Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto who have also opted out of the World Cup.
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Wendie Renard wrote, “I have defended the blue, white and red shirt 142 times with passion, respect, commitment and professionalism. I love France more than anything else, I am not perfect, far from it, but I can no longer support the current system which is far from the requirements of the highest level.”
Katoto, “The words of our captain Wendie lead me in my turn to talk about the situation in the France team. The events of 2019, the injury of 2022 then the recent events show me that I am no longer adequate with the management of the France team and the values transmitted. I therefore take the decision to put my international career on hold until the necessary changes are applied.”
Diani added: “Following the press release from our captain Wendie Renard and in view of the recent results and management in the France team, I announce to suspend my international obligations in order to concentrate on my club career. First fan of the France team, if the necessary deep changes finally arrive, I will return to the team.”
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What’s next?
The French Football Federation (FFF) has said, “The FFF has taken note of the statements of Wendie Renard, Kadidiatou Diani, and Marie-Antoinette Katoto. Its Executive Committee, which met on February 28, will take up the issue on this occasion. The FFF would like to point out that no individuality is above the French team institution.”
The problem is not going away in France, or in sports in general. Ada Hegerberg previously stopped playing for Norway for five years in protest at what she called a lack of respect for female players in her country and has publicly supported the three women.
Canada’s captain, Christine Sinclair, announced in early February that the Canadian women’s team would go on strike over funding cuts. The Spanish team has also noted issues with their administration and the lack of adequate training for the national team.
Wendie Renard and her teammates have chosen to step away from their national team in a plight to be taken seriously. Will others follow suit?
