The French Sports Ministry has suspended the technical director of the country's soccer federation after a report claimed the federation agreed to reduce the number of black and Arab players in national training programs.
In a joint statement Saturday with the FFF federation, the ministry said the suspension of Francois Blaquart would take effect immediately, pending an investigation into the allegations.
Investigative website Mediapart reported Thursday that senior staff within the federation approved proposals to limit to 30 percent the number of players of African and North-African descent once they reach age 13.
French federation president Fernand Duchaussoy and national team coach Laurent Blanc said Friday that such a move was never discussed. Blanc called the report a ''lie.''
