Football in France

Football in France is governed by the French Football Federation (Fédération Française de Football, or FFF). The FFF organises both the men's and women's national football teams. Modern football was introduced by English sailors playing in Le Havre in 1872 [ [http://www.ifhof.com/wn/history.asp FOOTBALLING HISTORY - International Football Hall of Fame ] ] Notably AS Monaco FC, a club from the independent sovereign state of Monaco play in French competion. For more on the subject see Football in Monaco.

Domestic competition

The French domestic league system is run by the Ligue de Football Professionnel. Amongst others they run the following leagues:

Professional

* Ligue 1
* Ligue 2
* National (D3) (some professional, some amateur)

Amateurs

(includes some reserve teams of professional teams in higher divisions)
* Championnat de France Amateurs
* Championnat de France Amateurs 2
* Regional football

Women's football

* Championnat de France de football féminin

Competition Records

UEFA Champions League

The following teams have qualified for elimination rounds in the UEFA Champions League.

*Marseille (1992-93 - Champions)
*AS Monaco FC (1993-94 - Semi-finals, 1997-98 - Semi-finals, 2003-04 - Runner-up)
*Paris Saint-Germain FC (1994-95 - Semi-finals)
*FC Nantes (1995-96 - Semi-finals)
*AJ Auxerre (1996-97 - Quarter-finals)
*Lyon (2003-04 - Quarter-finals, 2004-05 - Quarter-finals, 2005-06 - Quarter-finals)

Overseas departments national teams

The following Overseas department national teams are associate or full members of their regional confederations but not members of FIFA, and often act as feeder teams for the French national football team.
* French Guiana national football team (CONCACAF)
* Guadeloupe national football team (CONCACAF)
* Martinique national football team (CONCACAF)
* Mayotte national football team
* Réunion national football team (CAF)
* Saint-Martin national football team (CONCACAF)

References

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