Victor Wanyama’s CF Montreal have found themselves making headlines for the wrong reasons after being forced to fire the head coach of their reserve team, Sandro Grande, one day after the team announced his appointment.The office of Premier François Legault, the leader of the Parti Québécois, the provincial minister of sport and others had decried the hiring of Grande because of the coach’s history of anti-sovereignist statements and his apparent encouragement of an assassination attempt on premier-elect Pauline Marois back in 2012.Le CF Montréal met fin à son entente avec Sandro Grande >>> https://t.co/TMDvivyyJICF Montréal terminates its relationship with Sandro Grande >>> https://t.co/inBpeywrGI#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/hecaqgHVCI— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) January 10, 2023 “We recognize that the hiring of Sandro Grande was a mistake, and we regret any repercussions that may have been caused by this decision,” said Gabriel Gervais, President and CEO of CF Montréal.“We would like to extend our sincerest apologies to anyone who was hurt or shocked. Clearly, we have demonstrated a lack of sensibility and have grossly underestimated what he said and what he did several years ago.”Sandro Grande nommé entraîneur-chef de l’équipe réserve du CF Montréal >>> https://t.co/26yHtobAOlSandro Grande named CF Montréal’s reserve team head coach >>> https://t.co/WBtrYrx0zf#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/gxkLGg7wgu— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) January 9, 2023 Ewan Sauves, press attaché for Legault, had said earlier Tuesday morning: “In the past, Mr. Grande has expressed unacceptable and hurtful words. His nomination shows a lack of respect and sends a bad message. This is a big lack of judgment on the part of CF Montréal.”“The only mistake the shooter made last night was not getting the target!!! Marois!!! Next time buddy!! Hopefully!,” Grande’s Twitter account read the day after the Sept. 4, 2012 shooting at the PQ’s victory party at Metropolis, where Richard Henry Bain shot two people, killing one, and set a fire outside the venue.##NAJAVA_MECA_6938340##Grande said at the time that his account was compromised, and maintained that story, according to La Presse. But the former player admitted he described Quebec separatists as “f–ken hillbillies in the north” and “so stupid.”Grande’s statements came three years after the Montreal Impact released Grande for having grabbed teammate Mauro Biello by the throat during practice in 2009.As for his recent hiring, Grande said in a statement released by the team: “I am very grateful and happy to have the opportunity to return to the club I have loved since my childhood. I made some serious mistakes several years ago and I offer my sincere apologies to those whom my past comments have offended in any way.I have learned a lot from them, and I know that I am joining an organization where the values of inclusion and diversity are fundamental. I think it is important to use our personal experiences to continually improve and correct our past mistakes.”Sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala, five rugby stars headline sportmen passing out from police trainingCFM had also announced Patrick Viollat would be Grande’s assistant coach. Now, Viollat will assume the duties of head coach of the reserve team instead of Grande. Additional reporting by Montreal Gazette.
