Noel Le Graet: President of France football federation resigns over harassment allegations and audit into conduct

The president of the France football Federation Noel Le Graet has resigned; the eighty one–year–old was the concern of a sexual misconduct investigation, he denies the ones allegations; the former FFF leader became additionally criticised for remarks made approximately Zinedine Zidane
Noel Le Graet’s presidency were in the spotlight for some time

The president of the France football Federation (FFF) Noel Le Graet has resigned amid allegations of sexual misconduct and a damning audit commissioned by using the u . s .‘s sports ministry.

Le Graet, the top of the FFF considering the fact that 2011, had taken a step lower back amid a criminal investigation into alleged sexual and morale harassment.

earlier this month, the audit concluded that the eighty one–year–vintage Le Graet not had “the vital legitimacy” to administer and constitute the sport in France and “highlighted the irrelevant behaviour of Mr Le Graet closer to girls“. in advance this year, Le Graet denied allegations of sexual misconduct.

Le Graet, whose mandate was due to end in 2024, had also come underneath hearth for extending the contract of fellows‘s train Didier Deschamps till 2026 and for derogatory remarks aimed at France terrific Zinedine Zidane.

The French girls‘s crew educate, Corinne Diacre, has additionally been under strain. crew captain Wendie Renard said last week she could now not play at this 12 months‘s ladies‘s world Cup and in step with a file in French multimedia outlet RMC recreation, the defender said she will now not play for the countrywide side as long as Diacre stays in charge.

Fellow internationals Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani additionally stated they were taking a step lower back from the national group.

Le Graet’s contemporary vice-president Philippe Diallo now becomes period in-between president till June 10, whilst the next FFF meeting will take area.

A statement from the federation on Tuesday read: “regarding the audit… the FFF notes that this record does no longer point out any systemic failure nor any breach of its obligation to govern.

“The FFF nonetheless notes that this record is primarily based less on goal records than on exams which have in a few instances brought about an exaggerated belittling of the body.

“The FFF also regrets the dearth of a actual governing technique and the failure to recollect the numerous remarks made in terms of its governance, the fight in opposition to sexist and sexual violence, its figures and the examples given.

“The FFF consequently needs to reaffirm its sturdy commitment in opposition to gender-primarily based and sexual violence as part of its license safety policy. This dedication turned into and stays a priority.

“The FFF may also continue work to reform its governance… this paintings had been undertaken even earlier than the begin of the audit. but, the FFF undertakes to maintain itself to all the beneficial pointers of this audit.”

What Le Graet stated about Zidane

Zidane had been strongly linked as a potential successor to current France manager Deschamps before the latter signed a contract extension.

however, at the begin of the 12 months, Le Graet told RMC he could now not take a call from one of France’s maximum adorned players and brought: “I don’t supply a rattling, he can move wherever he wants.”

Le Graet had said Zidane had masses of support however stood no chance of changing Deschamps.

“Who could make serious reproaches to Deschamps?” he stated. “no one. He [Zidane] does what he wishes; it is none of my commercial enterprise. i’ve in no way met him, we’ve by no means taken into consideration parting with Didier. He can cross in which he wishes, to a club … If Zidane attempted to contact me? truly now not, I wouldn’t even pick out up the phone.”

Le Graet’s mindset toward Zidane went down poorly. Kylian Mbappe tweeted his support of the “legend”, even as the pinnacle of FFF’s ethics committee Patrick Anton called for the octogenarian to face down. The committee additionally eliminated popular manager Florence Hardouin.

France’s minister for sports activities, Amelie Oudea-Castera, was one among many politicians who reacted to Le Graet’s feedback.

“but more out-of-touch feedback and on top of that a shameful loss of recognize, which hurts us all, toward a legend of football and recreation,” she wrote on Twitter, additionally calling for an apology.