Paris takes on London in Desailly hijack row

Marcel Desailly: could be an ambassador for London

14 April 2012

Marcel Desailly was caught in the middle of an astonishing Olympic bidding war today as both London and Paris claimed to be close to signing him up to promote their cities for 2012.

Hours after London bid chairman Sebastian Coe revealed he had held discussions with the France football captain about a possible role in London's bid, Gerard Enault, the director general of the French Football Federation, said Desailly would definitely be backing Paris.

The defender is struggling to be fit for France's opening Euro 2004 game against England on Sunday but his preparations were overshadowed by the rival claims from the two Olympic camps.

Claiming to have spoken to Desailly today, Enault said: " Marcel has committed his support to Paris 2012 and has no intention of representing any other bid.

"He has spoken with Sebastian Coe on a number of matters and has agreed to work on some goodwill projects."

Paris bid leader Philippe Baudillon added: "We are delighted Marcel has reconfirmed his support for Paris 2012. In fact, we are fortunate enough to have the signed support of all the French squad in Portugal. They have pledged to act as ambassadors of our bid in some shape or form."

Paris bid leaders also released a quote from Desailly himself before he boarded a plane with the squad for Portugal. The Chelsea defender said: "As a Frenchman I will always support a French bid."

But former double Olympic champion Coe, who has close links with Chelsea, may not be deterred by such bullishness and is determined to recruit the right team to promote London's cause.

"I want people who have status and class and the ability to get the message across," he said.

"What better than a Frenchman living in London, plying his trade in London, who is happy here and adores the city? That's as good a third party endorsement as I will ever get. We are discussing it and he is certainly a supporter of the bid."

It emerged yesterday that London 2012 chiefs have already held talks with the Football Association about using England's Euro 2004 stars to back the campaign.

But poaching the France captain would be a major victory for London over Paris who are regarded as the favourites in the race which also includes Madrid, New York and Moscow.

It would be the equivalent of David Beckham turning his back on London to back Madrid's bid.

Desailly's Euro 2004 team-mate Zinedine Zidane has already been signed up as a Paris ambassador.

The Chelsea defender has been criticised in France after he elbowed Monaco striker Fernando Morientes during the Champions League semi-finals.

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