Once again, Gilles Cherdieu has emerged to defend the core values of karate. But can he open a new chapter for the sport in France and dismantle what many observers describe as a mafia-like network deeply embedded in the governance of French karate? Despite his relentless efforts, the ultimate answer lies with the French karate community. Are they willing to set aside personal interests for the collective good? Do they possess the wisdom and courage required to take bold steps and steer the federation toward a path of reform and progress?
As one of France’s most accomplished karate athletes during the 1990s and early 2000s, Cherdieu is intimately familiar with the flaws of French karate. He acknowledges that the sport has lost much of its global appeal and beauty over the years. While France remains a key player in the international karate community, Cherdieu believes the current administration has failed to capitalize on this influence to advance karate’s journey toward Olympic recognition.
FAVOURITISM IN FRENCH KARATE SINCE 2001
If successful in navigating the entrenched power structures built by Francis Didier and the system of favoritism that has dominated French karate since 2001, Cherdieu plans to implement significant reforms. His priorities include granting greater autonomy to clubs, ensuring transparency in the issuance of diplomas and licenses, and promoting gender equality at all levels of the sport in France.
Francis Didier, who has wielded significant influence over French karate since 2001, is not only a prominent figure at the national level but has also held senior positions in the European Karate Federation and the WKF. His leadership has been closely linked to many of the issues currently plaguing the sport at the international level.
Having served six terms as president of the French National Karate Federation, Didier is now barred from seeking a seventh term due to governmental reforms aimed at limiting the tenure of federation leaders. However, emerging evidence suggests Didier is actively working behind the scenes to ensure that Bruno Verfaillie, the FFKDA’s preferred candidate, defeats Gilles Cherdieu, thereby maintaining the status quo within French karate.
Photo montage of Philippe Dherbecourt with Verfaillie brochures and some French newspaper headlines about karate.
CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY IN THE ELECTION
The observer list for the French Karate Federation’s presidential election has become a point of controversy. Notably, the list includes Jacques Serfati, who is deceased, and Nadia Bony, a current member of the disciplinary committee, who has also been appointed to the election oversight committee. This dual role directly contradicts FFKDA statutes, which prohibit members of the election oversight committee from holding positions in other federation committees.
Distrust towards the French Karate Federation deepened when a photo of Secretary General Philippe Dherbecourt surfaced WhatsApp messages. In the image, Dherbecourt is seen holding a stack of campaign brochures for Verfaillie while attending a karate event in France. The ugliness of the act becomes more apparent as Verfaillie’s brochures are being delivered under the name of recipient Philippe Dherbecourt to the FFKDA address.This incident has intensified concerns about the federation’s impartiality and its commitment to ensuring a fair election process.
In an effort to promote transparency, Gilles Cherdieu has taken the initiative to invite his opponent to a televised debate on a national media platform. Cherdieu’s proposal aims to ensure that the election, which presents the French karate community with the opportunity to elect a new president for the first time in nearly 25 years, is conducted with fairness and transparency. However, Verfaillie has declined the invitation, further fueling the ongoing debate over election integrity.
CAMPAIGN FOR REFORMS
Cherdieu’s campaign reflects the progressive values of France’s civil institutions, advocating for principles that are often overlooked within the international karate community. When such ideals do arise elsewhere, they are frequently silenced and excluded from the sport’s broader discourse.
The campaign has gained significant traction, bolstered by the support of prominent figures such as Nathalie Leroy, David Felix, Christophe Pinna, Michael Braun, Marc Pyree, and Patrice Ruggiero, as well as numerous influential coaches and referees from French karate. All of them are united by the belief that karate’s identity must be restored to the sport, a goal that can only be achieved through deep structural changes and reforms.
