FRANÇA - CAMPEONATOS PARADOS!

Marc Crousillat: “… for the first time in the history of French sport …”

Water Polo, an Olympic Sport that sits under the governance of the French Federation of Swimming, is facing serious problems that impede the smooth running of National Championships.
A conflict between a large part of the refereeing corps of the French Swimming Federation does not allow the games of the two best men’s divisions (Elite and National 1) and best female division (N1F) to be played under normal conditions.
Thus, for safety reasons, but also relating to sporting ethics, the FFN “Water Polo Committee” in charge of high-level and the majority of clubs in the above mentioned divisions (ten out of ten Elite in ten out of eleven in N1 and six in seven N1F) took, reluctantly, the decision to interrupt the Championship until a solution can be found.
On several occasions, the Association of Clubs Water Polo French (ACWF is mandated by the vast majority of clubs) has requested the President of the FFN to organize an emergency meeting to find a solution to this conflict which has paralyzed the entire discipline (we deliberately do not mention the difficulties already encountered similar a year ago).
Our letters (three in number), which nevertheless represent the voice of over 80% of French Water Polo (11.000 Licensees), have unfortunately not received any positive response so far.
The French Water Polo family feels little support from a Federation to which belongs since the first time and that French Water polo won its first Olympic gold medal in Paris 1924 Olympic Games.
On Saturday, February 5, 2011, FFN has not been able, for the second consecutive time, to ensure the presence of almost all the referees for matches (two referees for fourteen meetings under the three divisions).
Under these conditions and to avoid the risk of unavoidable accidents, all club Presidents have preferred to interrupt the competition by following the recommendations of the Federal commission in charge of high level.
According to the sporting regulations in force at the FFN, this second package of all the teams cause their overall package, a first in French sport, and let the entire discipline in disarray.
Mediation has been requested by the clubs with the Sports Minister and also with the President of Olympic Committee (CNOSF).
Water polo, sports and little publicized Olympic sport since 1900, is a sport that can be described as traditional in France. It is practiced throughout the country for over a hundred years.
All players, managers, volunteers and supporters are extremely worried about the survival of the discipline.
In Sportsmanlike manner.

Marc Crousillat, President of the ACWF.