Le Graët quits French Federation as conduct probe opens
January 12 - Veteran French football boss Noël Le Graët, a member of the all-powerful FIFA Council, has agreed to step down following an emergency executive committee meeting over his behaviour.
Just weeks after France lost in the World Cup final, the controversial Le Graet has thrown in the towel - at least temporarily - following a series of high-profile controversies.
At the latest, the president of the French Federation (FFF) apologized earlier this week for remarks he made about national icon Zinedine Zidane's potential interest in taking over the national team whose coach Didier Deschamps has just been granted a contract extension.
In a French radio interview, Le Graet said he "wouldn't even have taken his call" if Zidane had been in touch to replace Didier Deschamps, adding: "I don't care, he can go anywhere he wants."
Deschamps said Le Graët's comments were "inappropriate" and that it was "a very good thing that he apologized to Zizou (Zidane)".
In a press release, the FFF indicated that Le Graët, 81, "in agreement with the executive committee of the FFF meeting today in Paris, has chosen to step down as president until the completion of the audit carried out by the directorate of sports ministry.”
The storm around Zidane followed a series of accusations of mistreatment by FFF employees, which led the French government to launch an audit of the federation and summon Le Graet to a hearing.< /p>
Le Graët has denied the accusations, but on Tuesday his conduct came under the spotlight again with a female football agent who brought new accusations of unwanted sexual advances in an interview with sports daily L'Equipe .
French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra had already stepped up the pressure on Le Graët, accusing him on Monday of "damaging the image of our country".
The members of the committee believing that Le Graët's position had become untenable, he was replaced on an interim basis by the vice-president of the FFF Philippe Diallo. The director general of the FFF, Florence Hardouin, was also suspended "as a precautionary measure".
The audit is expected to be completed by the end of January, but whether Le Graët's credibility will have been restored enough for him to return must be seriously questioned.
His position on the all-powerful FIFA Council where he is currently running for a new four-year term must also be questioned.
The other candidate is Portuguese FA President Fernando Gomes, whose election will take place on April 5 at the UEFA Congress in Lisbon.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1673555408labto1673555408ofdlr1673555408owedi1673555408sni@w1673555408ahsra1673555408w.wer1673555408dna1673555408
January 12 - Veteran French football boss Noël Le Graët, a member of the all-powerful FIFA Council, has agreed to step down following an emergency executive committee meeting over his behaviour.
Just weeks after France lost in the World Cup final, the controversial Le Graet has thrown in the towel - at least temporarily - following a series of high-profile controversies.
At the latest, the president of the French Federation (FFF) apologized earlier this week for remarks he made about national icon Zinedine Zidane's potential interest in taking over the national team whose coach Didier Deschamps has just been granted a contract extension.
In a French radio interview, Le Graet said he "wouldn't even have taken his call" if Zidane had been in touch to replace Didier Deschamps, adding: "I don't care, he can go anywhere he wants."
Deschamps said Le Graët's comments were "inappropriate" and that it was "a very good thing that he apologized to Zizou (Zidane)".
In a press release, the FFF indicated that Le Graët, 81, "in agreement with the executive committee of the FFF meeting today in Paris, has chosen to step down as president until the completion of the audit carried out by the directorate of sports ministry.”
The storm around Zidane followed a series of accusations of mistreatment by FFF employees, which led the French government to launch an audit of the federation and summon Le Graet to a hearing.< /p>
Le Graët has denied the accusations, but on Tuesday his conduct came under the spotlight again with a female football agent who brought new accusations of unwanted sexual advances in an interview with sports daily L'Equipe .
French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra had already stepped up the pressure on Le Graët, accusing him on Monday of "damaging the image of our country".
The members of the committee believing that Le Graët's position had become untenable, he was replaced on an interim basis by the vice-president of the FFF Philippe Diallo. The director general of the FFF, Florence Hardouin, was also suspended "as a precautionary measure".
The audit is expected to be completed by the end of January, but whether Le Graët's credibility will have been restored enough for him to return must be seriously questioned.
His position on the all-powerful FIFA Council where he is currently running for a new four-year term must also be questioned.
The other candidate is Portuguese FA President Fernando Gomes, whose election will take place on April 5 at the UEFA Congress in Lisbon.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1673555408labto1673555408ofdlr1673555408owedi1673555408sni@w1673555408ahsra1673555408w.wer1673555408dna1673555408
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