France’s hidden anti‑doping pause resurfaces in Zidane documentary

In a new BFMTV documentary titled “Zidane, a Factory of a Legend”, former French Sports Minister Marie‑George Buffet disclosed that the French government halted surprise anti‑doping tests during the build‑up to the 1998 World Cup, the tournament France ultimately won.

The 1998 World Cup victory has returned to the centre of discussion, and the controversy erupted after Buffet admitted the suspension of testing for the French team during its preparation.

Buffet’s comment directly contradicted her sworn testimony before the French Senate in 2013, where she denied any government directive to stop the tests.

During the documentary, Buffet said the responsible authorities resumed anti‑doping controls only after the World Cup concluded. “After the World Cup we resumed the anti‑doping fight,” she said.

She added that the order likely came from the ministerial offices, stating, “Probably the directive was transmitted by the ministerial offices.”

The programme also featured Alain Garnier, the doctor who oversaw anti‑doping controls for the Ministry of Sports at the time. He explained that a verbal instruction was given after a training session in Tignes in 1997.

Garnier recalled the instruction: “They told me I should no longer bother the Bleus until the World Cup. In other words, there would be no more surprise tests.” He said the directive originated from Matignon, the prime‑minister’s headquarters.

The decision followed a surprise doping test in 1997 that provoked strong dissatisfaction among the French players, coach Aimé Jacquet and officials of the French Football Federation, who argued the test hindered preparation for the World Cup. Despite the complaints, all tests returned negative results, and the government chose to suspend further surprise checks until the tournament’s end.

Beyond the immediate controversy, the revelation provides no evidence that any French player used prohibited substances and does not cast doubt on the pre‑tournament test outcomes. Nevertheless, Buffet’s reversal has reignited debate in France about the anti‑doping policy and the reasons behind halting inspections during the preparation for the World Cup triumph.