UNSS Director Olivier Girault Suspended Over Mismanagement Allegations

Education Minister Elisabeth Borne initiates disciplinary action following reports of financial irregularities and conflicts of interest.

Olivier Girault, former handball champion and director of the Union Nationale du Sport Scolaire (UNSS), was suspended by Education Minister Elisabeth Borne on February 10, 2025.
The suspension follows an administrative investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement, including reports of luxurious expenses and conflicts of interest within the UNSS.
A report by L'Équipe highlighted a controversial €5 million payment from Bahrain to the International School Sport Federation (ISF) for hosting the Gymnasiade, a global school sports event in October 2024.
The Snep-FSU, a union of physical education teachers, criticized the Education Ministry's handling of the UNSS and withdrew from its board, citing inaction and lack of accountability.
The UNSS, which oversees over 9,000 school sports associations and 1.2 million student members, is under the purview of the Education Ministry and primarily serves secondary schools.