Access for all

THE ORGANISATION

The FFF manages, oversees and supervises French football through a system of decentralised delegation and administration:

- the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) is responsible for elite club football

- the Ligue du Football Amateur (LFA), with the support of the 22 leagues and 91 districts, oversees grassroots football.

The common objective of the FFF, LFA and decentralised bodies at regional and departmental levels is to offer the best conditions of reception and practice to the public, from the age of 5 and up. From rural areas to large cities, they organise competitions, train coaches, participate in financing infrastructure and assisting clubs in their management via various grants or deployed measures.

Key figures

22,665

Number of registered facilities and where a match was played in the territory, including 2,000 Futsal and 1,000 Foot 5 facilities.

15,000

Amateur clubs throughout the country.

1/2

One out of every two children is registered.

600

Infrastructure projects financed per year via the Fund for Amateur Football Assistance (FAFA).

FOUR SUPPORT SYSTEMS

The Amateur Football Support Fund (FAFA)

The FAFA, set up by the FFF, provides assistance with development and structuring of amateur football in France. Open to leagues, districts, clubs and local authorities, the FAFA funds employment, equipment, transport or training. Each season, the Federation allocates a budget of more than 15 million euros to amateur football.

Quality Marks, a guarantee of quality

National distinctions attributed to clubs by the FFF, the quality mark award scheme recognises clubs that are committed to satisfying the four criteria defined and quantified by the Federation: associative, athletics, education and coaching and training projects. Every year, 1,000 new clubs that welcome youth, female or futsal players are awarded the Federation's mark for a 3-year period.

League and District Performance Standards

The FFF, in partnership with Regional Leagues, defines performance standards that favour optimal deployment of actions on its territory. They set the roadmap for 3 years. These agreements focus on three criteria: recurring actions, federal priorities of the Ambition 2020 programme, and local initiatives that enrich the latter. Funds are allocated to leagues who demonstrate their commitment to the agreement.

The club, a place to live

Club life often continues beyond the green rectangle, when its actors meet off the "field,” at the clubhouse, a place where bonds are forged and values essential to the community are conveyed. Under the name "Club lieu de vie", the FFF wanted to support clubs selected by the Leagues and Districts in these activities (experimental scheme). A guide that offers ideas, is now available to clubs, as well as a social network to share good practices. The FFF's support will also take the form of coaching within the clubs, refereeing awareness days and the implementation of " Fiers d'être Bleus (Proud to be Blue)" projects.

FOOTBALL, FOR WHO?

Féminines — Women

The feminisation of football, a priority.

Enfants — Children

Categories U6 to U13: football adapted to young players.

Jeunes — Youth

Categories U14 to U19, and up.

Adultes — Adults

Football from the age of 19 and up.

VOLUNTEERING, A CENTRAL ROLE

Throughout the 15,000 clubs, FFF, Leagues and Districts, 400,000 volunteers are involved each season. Whether it is to be involved at facilities, accompany teams, welcome participants or manage organisation, these men and women offer their time and experience to create unique moments. What motivates them? Their passion for football and their sense of teamwork. Our volunteer’s investment is an essential link in club life where they become, often over time, emblematic figures. For more information on volunteering, click here.

DEDICATED ACTIONS

Volunteer Day

At the end of every season, the FFF invites 1000 volunteers to attend the final of the Gambardella Cup and the French Cup at the Stade de France. This allows women and men from all over France, who are passionate and committed to football, discover a legendary stadium. The FFF launched this action in 1997.

Volunteer of the month

Created in January 2014, this special operation has rewarded more than 3,600 male and female volunteers who are committed to serving football, its clubs and most importantly its youth.

The SO BENEVOLE guide

The Fondaction du Football has produced a practical and educational guide that answers all the questions that volunteers may have within their clubs. Everything is there: welcoming new volunteers, promoting and valuing volunteers or information about funding.