The Luxembourg Ministry of Sport has entered into a conflict between the athlete and the federation

A conflict between the Luxembourg Table Tennis Federation (FLTT) and one of its female athletes has come under the spotlight. The Minister of Sport, Georges Mischo, expressed regret that the internal dispute had been publicised. The issue stemmed from public criticism directed at the athlete for her remarks after one of her matches.

Georges Mischo emphasised that freedom of expression and respectful communication should be the basis of relations between all stakeholders in sport. He also noted that federations should resolve their internal conflicts in accordance with their regulations, preserving harmony and balance.

The Minister recognised that this is not the first time that this has been a case of controversy at the FLTT and pointed to a similar incident in the past that had already led to the disruption of a player's sporting career. This raises a wider question about the culture of governance in the federation and its impact on athletes.

Georges Mischo confirmed plans to establish an independent body for conflict mediation, as stipulated in the coalition agreement. He expressed confidence that this initiative would be realised before the end of his mandate. Such a body would be able to ensure that disputes are dealt with more fairly, minimising the negative impact on athletes' careers.