Eugénie Le Sommer is the first woman to be elected to the steering committee of the UNFP (National Union of Professional Footballers), the main union of professional footballers in France. This election took place on October 13, at the UNFP general assembly, and was made public on Thursday.

Following her election, this essential striker of the Olympique Lyonnais and the France team (156 selections on the counter for 79 achievements) expressed her pride at being the first woman elected to the Steering Committee of the UNFP and his determination to advance the cause of women's football. "Beyond the personal pride of being the first woman elected to the UNFP Steering Committee and the responsibilities that fall to me, which I accept with all the more determination at the same time, this recognition , which I know how to value, allows me to say that football belongs to women too! "

"I will be speaking in the name of all the players who are evolving in France. "
The 29-year-old has developed her thinking: "For those who know me - and I think that's also why the UNFP leadership shows me confidence - know that my temperament pushes me to say what I think, to be force of proposal, and to act, but I did not express myself in my name, but in that of the whole of the footballers who evolve in France, with which I exchange regularly. "

«I KNOW THE REALITY OF WOMEN'S FOOTBALL IN FRANCE»
"If I have the chance to play in a club where there is no difference between women and men, where the conditions that are offered to us are exceptional, if I consider myself a privileged person, I know the the reality of women's football in France, these difficulties and I will not fail to bring them to the attention of the Steering Committee of the UNFP so that we can bring the right answers, find the best solutions. "

"I DO NOT INTEND TO LIMIT MY INTERVENTIONS ONLY TO WOMEN'S FOOTBALL"
"But I do not intend to limit myself to the issues of women's football, because I have the will to register as a full member of the Steering Committee of the UNFP and to intervene, if I the judge considers it necessary and relevant, on all subjects, I do not forbid myself! "

"I WANT MY VOICE TO COUNT, ACT AND BE USEFUL! "
"I want my voice to count, and I hope that I will be able to justify the trust I have in the UNFP and the confidence shown to me by all those who elected me.

I want to act, to be useful, while continuing to give priority to my sporting career and my obligations towards my club, which has perfectly understood and accepted the approach that is mine, at the same time. image of President Aulas, who supports me and told me of the pride that was his to see a Lyonnaise be the first woman member of the Steering Committee of the UNFP. A committee that counts in the lives of footballers and French football! "

Photo: Nicolas Lacambre

Arnaud Le Quéré