The lucrative business behind the Macron charity football matches
In April this year President Emmanuel Macron was filmed playing alongside celebrities and former football stars in a charity match to raise money for young people in hospital. But behind this and other similar charity football games there is also a lucrative business. Captains of industry are being charged up to 75,000 euros for each star-studded encounter, which buys them media exposure and a place at a post-match dinner held at the Elysée. As Antton Rouget reports, the money raised from this is not given to charities. Instead, the proceeds are going to a company owned by the son of the veteran sports journalist who runs the charity involved in the matches.
TheThe world of football generates a lot of money, but it can also have a kind-hearted side. This has been the general public's view for many years as they have watched the work of the Variétés Club de France charity which, since the 1970s, has assembled football legends (from the generations of Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane and so on) for charity matches, as well as artists such as singer Yannick Noah and politicians. President Emmanuel Macron himself donned his boots just a month ago for a well-publicised game on behalf of the 'Operation Pièces Jaunes' or 'Operation Yellow Coins' charity which helps young people in hospital.
