re: L'Equipe: Ranieri to Nantes

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The LFP said on Thursday its legal committee, which had rejected Roux's contract with Lens because he was over the age limit of 65 set by the LFP charter, had been overruled by the French National Olympic Committee (CNOSF).

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The affair attracted the attention of French President Nicolas Sarkozy who criticised the LFP's ruling last month.

"The President finds this decision regrettable", the spokesman of the new French head of state told reporters. "The President believes it is the rule that is old, not Guy Roux."

French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde immediately joined the debate, turning Roux into a symbol of the government policy of persuading people to work longer.

"I think it's stupid to tell someone good and competent you can't work because you're too old," she said. "I think these age limits ... we should think about eliminating them. If Guy Roux is good, and I think he is a great coach, he must be able to coach."

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