The prefect of Hérault, François-Xavier Lauch, has decided to withdraw the prefectural approval of the Sète Olympique Football Club. The State representative justifies his decision after an inspection of his services which “revealed community practices”. The “deliberate choice not to develop the practice of women’s football” and “the absence of neutrality linked to the use of an emblematic sign of the Muslim religion as the club logo, affixed to the players’ jerseys” are singled out. “.
For lawyer Sefen Guez, “the presence of a crescent and a star [enlevés du maillot entre-temps] is not contrary to legality. As for the absence of a women’s section, “it is not up to the club to develop it if there is no demand”, he explains to Free Midday. He announced his intention to appeal the decision to the administrative court.
According to the prefecture, the city of Sète will not pay this association the subsidy voted for the year 2024. It should also put an end to the provision of sports equipment in the municipality.