Jean-Pierre Escalettes
Encyclopedia
Jean-Pierre Escalettes is the former president
of the French Football Federation
having served in the role from 12 February 2005 to 2 July 2010. He was awarded the presidency after winning the ball with 92.56% of the vote. On 28 June 2010, Escalettes announced his resignation from his position effective 2 July.
and for AC Ribérac at amateur level. He later had a two-year stint at the University of Bristol
where he studied English
. Escalettes taught the language, as a professor, at a local university in Ribérac
. While teaching, he also served as the secretary general, player, and coach
of local club AC Ribérac. Escalettes rose through the ranks of the country's footballing hierarchy first serving as district president of Dordogne
. In 1981, he moved up to the regional level after being appointed the president and general secretary of the Ligue d'Aquitaine
. In 1985, Escalettes joined the French Football Federation becoming a member of the organization's Federal Council. Five years later, he was appointed the Secretary General. In 1995, he was named as the president of the newly-created Conseil National du Football Amateur (National Council of Amateur Football). In 2000, the council changed its named to Ligue Fédérale du Football Amateur (Federal League of Amateur Football). Escalettes served as president until 8 January 2005. A month later, he was named president of the French Football Federation replacing Claude Simonet.
Under Escalettes reign as president, the senior national team
reached the 2006 FIFA World Cup final
losing to Italy
. The team also reached UEFA Euro 2008. On 22 February 2008, the French Football Federation
announced that they were ending their partnership
with Adidas and signing with the American manufacturer Nike
, effective 1 January 2011. The unprecedented deal is valued at €320 million over seven years (2011–2018) making France's blue shirt the most expensive ever in the history of football. Escalettes stated when discussing the deal: "It's the financial aspect that made the difference. I had neither the moral nor legal capacity to take any other decision." On 17 April 2007, Esclattes confirmed France's intention to bid for the hosting rights of UEFA Euro 2016
. Three years later, on 28 May 2010, France were granted hosting rights by UEFA
for the competition.
During Escalettes presidency, he was a known supporter of former national team coach Raymond Domenech
and openly backed him to return to the team after the Euro 2008 debacle, however, not without declaring that radical changes would and should be made to the team. On 28 June 2010, following the debacle at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
, in which the French players went on strike to protest the exclusion of Nicolas Anelka
from the team, Escalettes announced his resignation from his position effective 2 July. On 22 March 2011, he was awarded the UEFA Order of Merit by association president Michel Platini
for his contributions to the sport.
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the French Football Federation
French Football Federation
The French Football Federation is the governing body of association football in France, as well as the overseas departments and territories . It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital Paris...
having served in the role from 12 February 2005 to 2 July 2010. He was awarded the presidency after winning the ball with 92.56% of the vote. On 28 June 2010, Escalettes announced his resignation from his position effective 2 July.
Career
Escalettes is a former football player having played university football at the University of BordeauxUniversity of Bordeaux
University of Bordeaux is an association of higher education institutions in and around Bordeaux, France. Its current incarnation was established 21 March 2007. The group is the largest system of higher education schools in southwestern France. It is part of the Academy of Bordeaux.There are seven...
and for AC Ribérac at amateur level. He later had a two-year stint at the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
where he studied English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. Escalettes taught the language, as a professor, at a local university in Ribérac
Ribérac
Ribérac is a commune in the Dordogne department in Aquitaine in southwestern France. The commune is situated by the Dronne River.-History:In 1793, the commune of Faye joined with Ribérac. In 1851, a part of the commune was dismembered for the creation of the new commune of Saint-Martin-de-Ribérac...
. While teaching, he also served as the secretary general, player, and coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
of local club AC Ribérac. Escalettes rose through the ranks of the country's footballing hierarchy first serving as district president of Dordogne
Dordogne
Dordogne is a départment in south-west France. The départment is located in the region of Aquitaine, between the Loire valley and the High Pyrénées named after the great river Dordogne that runs through it...
. In 1981, he moved up to the regional level after being appointed the president and general secretary of the Ligue d'Aquitaine
Aquitaine
Aquitaine , archaic Guyenne/Guienne , is one of the 27 regions of France, in the south-western part of metropolitan France, along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range on the border with Spain. It comprises the 5 departments of Dordogne, :Lot et Garonne, :Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes...
. In 1985, Escalettes joined the French Football Federation becoming a member of the organization's Federal Council. Five years later, he was appointed the Secretary General. In 1995, he was named as the president of the newly-created Conseil National du Football Amateur (National Council of Amateur Football). In 2000, the council changed its named to Ligue Fédérale du Football Amateur (Federal League of Amateur Football). Escalettes served as president until 8 January 2005. A month later, he was named president of the French Football Federation replacing Claude Simonet.
Under Escalettes reign as president, the senior national team
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
reached the 2006 FIFA World Cup final
2006 FIFA World Cup Final
The 2006 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match that took place on 9 July 2006 at the Olympiastadion, Berlin to determine the winner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Italy beat France on penalties after the match finished 1–1 after extra time...
losing to Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
. The team also reached UEFA Euro 2008. On 22 February 2008, the French Football Federation
French Football Federation
The French Football Federation is the governing body of association football in France, as well as the overseas departments and territories . It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital Paris...
announced that they were ending their partnership
Partnership
A partnership is an arrangement where parties agree to cooperate to advance their mutual interests.Since humans are social beings, partnerships between individuals, businesses, interest-based organizations, schools, governments, and varied combinations thereof, have always been and remain commonplace...
with Adidas and signing with the American manufacturer Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
, effective 1 January 2011. The unprecedented deal is valued at €320 million over seven years (2011–2018) making France's blue shirt the most expensive ever in the history of football. Escalettes stated when discussing the deal: "It's the financial aspect that made the difference. I had neither the moral nor legal capacity to take any other decision." On 17 April 2007, Esclattes confirmed France's intention to bid for the hosting rights of UEFA Euro 2016
UEFA Euro 2016
The 2016 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Euro 2016, will be the 15th European Championship for national football teams sanctioned by UEFA. It will be held in the summer of 2016. The host nation was announced to be France on 28 May 2010...
. Three years later, on 28 May 2010, France were granted hosting rights by UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
for the competition.
During Escalettes presidency, he was a known supporter of former national team coach Raymond Domenech
Raymond Domenech
Raymond Domenech is a retired French footballer and the former manager of the France national team.-2006 World Cup:On 12 July 2004, Domenech was a surprise choice to succeed Jacques Santini after the country's disappointing exit from UEFA Euro 2004 by losing in the quarter-final match to the...
and openly backed him to return to the team after the Euro 2008 debacle, however, not without declaring that radical changes would and should be made to the team. On 28 June 2010, following the debacle at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
, in which the French players went on strike to protest the exclusion of Nicolas Anelka
Nicolas Anelka
Abdul-Salam Bilal on 14 March 1979) is a French international footballer, who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Chelsea. Anelka was also a regular starter for the French national team...
from the team, Escalettes announced his resignation from his position effective 2 July. On 22 March 2011, he was awarded the UEFA Order of Merit by association president Michel Platini
Michel Platini
Michel François Platini is a former French football player, manager and current president of UEFA. Platini was a member of the French national team that won the 1984 European Championship, a tournament in which he was the top goalscorer and voted the best player. He participated in the 1978, 1982...
for his contributions to the sport.