Players in France Go on Strike in Protest Against Their Coach’s Tactics
- Players of a women's team in France reportedly went on strike to protest against their coach's tactics and management
- The team is currently at the bottom of the 3rd division and in danger of relegation, with players demanding intervention
- The strike has put pressure on the club's leadership to reconsider the coach and address the team's underlying issues
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Angers Croix Blanche, currently languishing at the bottom of the French Women's third division, has taken a bold and unusual step to protest the management style of coach, Valentin Rey.
The players reportedly announced they would go on strike, highlighting deep dissatisfaction with the way Rey, who is the son of the club’s president, has been managing the team.
Source: Twitter
According to So Foot, in an open letter published on April 2, the squad said the strike was based on a working environment that had become unbearable.
Angers Croix Blance's player strike has become another piece of major women's football news after Arsenal Women's comeback against Real Madrid.
French club on strike over 'toxic environment'
The letter from players of the French women's team painted a picture of a dysfunctional relationship between the coach and his team.
It outlines a series of grievances, chief among them a lack of respect and insufficient support, which has led to growing frustration within the squad.
According to the letter, Rey’s coaching methods have been a key factor in the team’s struggles this season, with many players feeling undervalued and unsupported.
“A coach must show respect to his players, which has not been the case for several months,” the players wrote.
This statement indicated that the rift between the coach and his team was not a recent development but a prolonged issue that had steadily worsened over time.
Striking French women's players kick against coach
Among the primary concerns raised by the players were Rey’s handling of injured players, his tactical input, and the overall lack of support for the team's mental and physical well-being.
The players claimed that there had been 'insufficient monitoring of injured players', which had led to a lack of proper care and recovery, further impacting the team's recent performance.
Additionally, the players expressed frustration with Rey’s 'limited' tactical knowledge and his inability to adjust to the demands of the national league.
For a team struggling at the bottom of the 2024/25 league table, these issues have had a direct negative impact on their results, with the team failing to secure key wins and facing relegation.
With just nine points from 16 matches in the French Women's Third Division, Angers Croix Blanche are fighting for their position with only four rounds left to play.
With the team’s survival in the third division hanging in the balance, the strike is a last-ditch attempt by the players to demand change.
The timing of the strike, just weeks before the end of the season, is critical. Angers Croix Blanche have found themselves in a precarious position, and without a change in leadership or approach, the team faces the very real possibility of relegation.
Source: Twitter
Reaction from Angers Croix Blanche's management
In a statement on Thursday (March 3), the club condemned the action of its players to go ranting on social media.
"The women's team, which has existed for 50 years, will continue beyond this senior first team. The board will meet soon to respond appropriately to the letter."
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YEN.com.gh also reported on Ivan Perisic outshining Kylian Mbappe in the recent UEFA Nations League quarter-final between Croatia and France.
The PSV Eindhoven veteran player put on a solid display during the match, with the Real Madrid superstar struggling as Les Bleus sunk to a defeat.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
