By now, almost everyone has heard about the French Football Federation's alleged racial quota, limiting the number of players of black and North African decent allowed in the youth academies to 30%. But had any Aston Villa fans made the connection between the club's ailing manager and the FFF scandal? After all, Gérard Houllier was the technical director for France before he accepted the Villa offer. Turns out, fingers have been pointed at Houllier.

"It was under [French football manager] Gerard Houllier's helm," Merelle told France's RMC Radio. "There was no official quota policy at the time, but a reflection about the numbers of black and Arabs. According to them, and that includes Francois Blaquart, there were too many."