Former French Minister of Sport, Marie-George Buffet, has made new claims regarding the preparation of the French national football team ahead of the 1998 World Cup. In a recent documentary titled “Zidane, Factory of Legends,” broadcast on French television BFMTV, Buffet stated that she had received directives to suspend mandatory doping controls for the squad. According to her account, this measure was intended to ensure the team remained unhindered throughout the duration of the tournament.
This assertion marks a notable divergence from her previous testimony. In 2013, Buffet had appeared before a Senate committee where she stated under oath, “We never gave instructions for this purpose.” The new declaration specifically addresses events that took place in 1997, following an unannounced doping control conducted on the team. Buffet has now confirmed that her ministry’s offices were instrumental in preventing unannounced doping controls for both Zidane and the wider squad.
Her revised account provides details about the internal measures taken concerning athletic testing in the lead-up to the major world event. The differing statements regarding oversight and protocol management surrounding the 1998 World Cup have drawn significant media attention, highlighting the historical discussions surrounding doping controls within international sports governance.
Topics: #world #cup #doping
