France's Travel Choices for Belgium Match
The French national football team, known as the Blues, faced Belgium on Monday evening in Brussels as part of the Nations League. The team arrived by plane on Sunday, a decision that has sparked discussions regarding their travel choices. While the flight took just about an hour, the French Football Federation (FFF) had previously expressed intentions to favor train travel, particularly when it comes to shorter distances like the 1.5-hour journey by Eurostar from Paris to Brussels.
This shift towards more eco-friendly travel solutions was highlighted by FFF president Philippe Diallo, who stated earlier this year that the Federation would explore train travel options whenever feasible. In June, the team successfully traveled by train to Metz for a match against Luxembourg, but the recent trip to Belgium saw a return to air travel due to logistical challenges, including an inconvenient early train schedule and security issues at Gare du Nord.
The Commitment to Sustainable Travel
Diallo reiterated the FFF's commitment to exploring sustainable travel options, emphasizing that train travel remains a goal for the federation. However, the recent decision to fly has raised questions about the sincerity of these commitments. The FFF had previously announced that by the end of 2023, no travel would be conducted by plane for journeys under three hours if rail alternatives were available. Despite these intentions, the team has not consistently adhered to this promise, having flown for matches against both Luxembourg and Belgium in recent months.
Future Travel Plans for the Blues
Looking ahead, the French team is set to face Israel and Italy in upcoming matches, with travel logistics expected to be more complex. The journey to Milan, for instance, is over eight hours by train, which may lead to further scrutiny of the FFF's travel policies. As the national team continues to navigate these travel decisions, fans and environmental advocates alike will be watching closely to see if the Blues can prioritize sustainable travel in future engagements.
