France Halted Doping Tests for National Team Before 1998 World Cup

WHO:

The Daily Star - Marie-George Buffet served as sports minister from 1997 to 2002.

The Daily Star - Alain Garnier was verbally instructed that he was "no longer to disturb Les Bleus until the World Cup."

Plataforma Media - Marie-George Buffet, then-Sports Minister of France

Plataforma Media - Alain Garnier, doctor sent by the Ministry of Sport

Plataforma Media - Zinédine Zidane, 1998 Ballon d’Or winner and national team coach

WHAT:

The Daily Star - Buffet acknowledged that the instruction to halt the tests "was probably passed down through ministerial offices."

The Daily Star - Buffet described the decision to suspend surprise tests as "a step backwards in the fight against doping."

Plataforma Media - The French government suspended anti-doping tests on the national team ahead of the 1998 World Cup.

Plataforma Media - Buffet admitted that ministerial instructions were issued to exempt the French team from surprise doping controls.

Plataforma Media - France won the 1998 World Cup, defeating Brazil 3-0 in the final.

WHERE:

Plataforma Media - The final match of the 1998 World Cup took place at Saint-Denis, near Paris.

Plataforma Media - The training camp for the French national team was located in Tignes.

WHEN:

Plataforma Media - The 1998 World Cup was hosted by France.

Plataforma Media - Buffet testified before a Senate committee in 2013.

WHY:

The Daily Star - Players and officials complained that the surprise doping tests disrupted the team's preparations.

Plataforma Media - The suspension of doping tests was due to criticism from the French Football Federation, coach Aimé Jacquet, and the players, who argued that unannounced doping controls disrupted the team's preparation.

HOW:

The Daily Star - Buffet has previously stated she came under "all kinds of pressure" during her time in office.

Plataforma Media - Buffet acknowledged that she may have conveyed instructions to stop surprise tests, stating, "If he says that, then yes, it must be true."

Marie-George Buffet, who served as sports minister from 1997 to 2002, acknowledged that the instruction to halt surprise doping tests for the French national soccer team, known as Les Bleus, was likely passed down through ministerial offices. She described this decision as "a step backwards in the fight against doping," noting that players and officials had complained the tests disrupted the team's preparations. Buffet also mentioned that during her time in office, she faced "all kinds of pressure" regarding such issues.