Football in France is governed by the French Football Federation (Fédération Française de Football, or FFF). The FFF organises both the men's and women's national football teams. Notably AS Monaco, a club from the independent sovereign state of Monaco, play in French competition. For more on the subject, see football in Monaco.

[edit] History of Football in France

The first football club in France was in 1863, as the following newspaper cutting shows: "A number of English gentlemen living in Paris have lately organised a football club... The football contests take place in the Bois de Boulogne, by permission of the authorities and surprise the French amazingly." ^[1]

Modern football was also introduced by English sailors playing in Le Havre in 1872.^[2]

The French National team cheated their way into the 2010 World Cup in South Africa on 18th November 2009. Beating Ireland in Paris by virtue of a blatant handball by Thierry Henry which he admitted to the referee at the time he commited, the French side progressed despite the cheating. ^[3]

[edit] Domestic competition

The French domestic league system is run by the Ligue de Football Professionnel. Amongst others they run the following leagues:

[edit] Professional

• Ligue 1
• Ligue 2
• National (D3) (some professional, some amateur)

[edit] Amateurs

(includes some reserve teams of professional teams in higher divisions)

• Championnat de France Amateurs
• Championnat de France Amateurs 2
• Regional football

[edit] Women's football

• Championnat de France de football féminin

[edit] Competition Records

[edit] UEFA Champions League

The following teams have qualified for elimination rounds in the UEFA Champions League.

• Olympique de Marseille (1992–93 – Champions)
• AS Monaco (1993–94 – Semi-finals, 1997–98 – Semi-finals, 2003–04 – Runner-up)
• Paris Saint-Germain (1994–95 – Semi-finals)
• Nantes (1995–96 – Semi-finals)
• Auxerre (1996–97 – Quarter-finals)
• Olympique Lyonnais (2003–04 – Quarter-finals, 2004–05 – Quarter-finals, 2005–06 – Quarter-finals)

[edit] Overseas departments national teams

The following Overseas department national teams are associate or full members of their regional confederations but not members of FIFA, and often act as feeder teams for the French national football team.

• French Guiana national football team (CONCACAF)
• Guadeloupe national football team (CONCACAF)
• Martinique national football team (CONCACAF)
• Mayotte national football team
• Réunion national football team (CAF)
• Saint-Martin national football team (CONCACAF)

[edit] References

1. ^ The Scotsman Newspaper, 22nd December 1863, page 8
2. ^ FOOTBALLING HISTORY - International Football Hall of Fame
3. ^ The world and his dog!

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