Noel Le Graet RESIGNS as president of the French Football Federation

The president of the French Football Federation has resigned just a month after being suspended over sexual harassment allegations.

After an urgent meeting in January among the FFF’s executive committee, Noel Le Graet was initially suspended after a week of high controversy, and Vice President Philippe Diallo was appointed acting interim.

Le Graet has now retired, the FFF confirmed on Tuesday, having been in the role since 2011.

“Noel Le Graet announced… to the Executive Committee of the French Football Federation his decision to step down,” the FFF said in a statement.

‘Philippe Diallo, vice president, will act as interim president of the FFF until June 10, 2023, the date of the next federal assembly.’

Noel Le Graet has resigned from his position as president of the French Football Federation

Former vice-president Philippe Diallo had been appointed acting interim to replace Le Graet.

He initially sparked a fierce response in the French media after publicly denouncing the managerial skills of national legend Zinedine Zidane.

Days later, allegations of sexual harassment caused the president to face a harsh backlash and has now led to his suspension following an urgent meeting of the FFF’s executive committee. Le Graet has denied any wrongdoing.

French soccer has been in crisis recently despite the fact that the national team reached its fourth World Cup final in the last seven editions of the tournament, losing to Argentina in Qatar last December.

The coach of the French women’s team, Corinne Diacre, has also come under fire.

Team captain Wendie Renard said last week that she would not play in this year’s Women’s World Cup. According to a report by French outlet RMC Sport, Renard said that she will not play for the national team while Diacre is in charge.

Fellow internationals Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani also said they were taking a step back from the national team.

Le Graet’s suspension came after a sports agent accused him of inappropriate conduct for several years, saying he was only showing sexual interest on her part.

In an interview with L’Equipe, Sonia Souid, 37, claimed that Le Graet repeatedly approached her between 2013 and 2017.

She said that while she wanted to develop a business relationship with Le Graet to promote women’s soccer, he was more interested in leaving her voicemail messages late at night to invite her for champagne.

The allegations came just days after the 81-year-old came under fire for his treatment of French soccer legend Zidane.

Le Graet had previously scorned Zinedine Zidane’a’s coaching skills.

Sports agent Sonia Souid, 37, said Le Graet treated her like “sweetie”.

Le Graet appeared on French radio station RMC discussing whether Didier Deschamps would continue as France’s manager after their 2022 World Cup final loss to Argentina in Qatar, and was dismissive of the manager who won three straight finals. of the Champions League with Real Madrid.

“I wouldn’t have even taken your call,” Le Graet said. ‘To tell him what? “Hello sir, don’t worry. Look for another club. I just agreed a contract with Didier.”

It’s up to him what he does. That doesn’t concern me. I never met him and we never considered parting ways with Didier.

Deschamps has now agreed a contract extension until 2026, but Le Graet’s harsh comments about Zidane, who scored a brace in France’s 1998 World Cup triumph, hit the nerves of players and pundits alike.

France star Kylian Mbappé wrote on Twitter that “Zidane is France, we don’t disrespect the legend in that way.”

French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera demanded an apology for Le Graet’s “shameful lack of respect”.

In response, Le Graet said: “I would like to apologize for these comments, which in no way reflect my views or my regard for the player he was and the manager he has become.”

“I gave an interview to [French radio station] RMC that I should not have given because they were looking for controversy by opposing Didier and Zinedine Zidane, two greats of French football.

Le Graet, pictured in 2017, is retiring after 12 years in his role as president.

France’s sports minister ordered an investigation into the federation in September after the body said it would file a libel suit against So Foot magazine, which reported that Le Graet allegedly harassed several female employees.

In addition to his role with the French soccer federation, Le Graet has also been a member of the FIFA Council since he was appointed by UEFA in May 2019. The position pays $250,000 (£207,000) a year.

Le Graet is currently running for another four-year term on the FIFA governance committee. He is being challenged by the president of the Portuguese soccer federation, Fernando Gomes. The election is set for April 5, when UEFA’s member nations meet in Lisbon.

Le Graet’s candidacy must pass an eligibility and integrity check carried out by FIFA. He can stand for election despite UEFA imposing an age limit of 70 for candidates for its own executive committee.