School sport in France is in the eye of the storm following journalistic revelations pointing to alleged irregularities in the management of the National Union of School Sport (UNSS). The Ministry of Education has announced the launch of an administrative investigation to review the financial management of this entity, currently headed by Olivier Girault. The initiative comes shortly after Laurent Petrynka, director of the International School Sports Federation, resigned from his position, following a series of reports published by the newspaper ‘L’Équipe’.

The investigation addresses several aspects, including alleged “lavish spending” and a worrying “financial deficit” in the organization. These factors have raised suspicions of possible conflicts of interest in the administration of resources earmarked for school sports, which has set off alarm bells in the education authorities. Petrynka, who headed the UNSS in the past, resigned shortly after the revelations of ‘L’Équipe’, which pointed to the existence of a climate of opacity in the management of funds and possible administrative irregularities in the organization. However, it has not been confirmed so far whether his departure was directly linked to these reports.

PERSONAL INTERESTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOL SPORTS

The recently initiated investigation will seek to clarify whether there were decisions that prioritized personal or institutional interests to the detriment of the development of school sports. According to the first reports, one of the key points to be analyzed will be the use of public funds in activities and expenses considered excessive, which would have contributed to the UNSS’s deficit financial situation.

Olivier Girault’s administration is also under observation, although the Ministry of Education has not yet provided specific details on its possible involvement in these irregularities. Ministry sources indicated that this review is necessary to “ensure transparency and proper use of resources allocated to school sports in France.”

UNSS QUESTIONED EXPENDITURES

The case has generated widespread debate in France about the management of funds in sports institutions, and some critics have pointed to the importance of establishing more rigorous control mechanisms. The investigation is expected to provide answers on the nature of the questioned expenditures and on the responsibilities that could fall on the current and former leaders of the UNSS.

This controversy could affect public perception and support for school sports, an area considered essential to the all-round education of students in France.