France’s short stature football team was unable to participate in the World Cup for short-statured individuals under 1.49 meters, which kicked off on Monday in Buenos Aires (Argentina), over financial problems.
Despite their qualification for the tournament, the French team was unable to make the journey as it was short of 17,000 euros required to pay for travel expenses.
In an interview with BFM TV, Ayena Adiljo, president of the Association des Personnes de Petite Taille (APPT), expressed his frustration over the lack of assistance from the French Ministry of Sports and the government.
“I approached First Lady Brigitte Macron in an attempt to secure funds and she referred me to the Ministry of Sports, yet no assistance was provided,” he complained.
The French Football Federation (FFF) did not come to the aid of APPT because the latter is still not affiliated with the Federation. The APPT is mainly involved in awareness-raising, medical research and administrative support.