French Football president suspended over comment about Zidane
The drama began when Le Graet, talking about whether Deschamps would continue after as France national team coach, was dismissive of Zidane
President of the French Football Federation (FFF), Noel Le Graet, has been suspended from his position following a week of controversy, with Vice Chairman Philippe Diallo named as acting interim chairman.
Le Graet - who had been FFF president since 2011 - initially sparked chaos in French media after publicly denouncing the managerial abilities of national legend Zinedine Zidane.
Days later, allegations of sexual harassment caused the president to face severe backlash and has now led to his suspension following an urgent meeting of the FFF executive committee.
The drama began when Le Graet, talking about whether Deschamps would continue after as France national team coach, was dismissive of Zidane.
'I wouldn't even have taken his call,' said Le Graet. '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. It's not my business. I've never met him and we've never considered parting with Didier.
'He can go where he wants, to a club. He would have as many as he wants in Europe, a big club. But a national side is hardly credible, to my mind.'
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, touched a nerve with players and pundits.
In response, Le Graet said: 'I would like to apologise for these remarks, which absolutely do not reflect my views nor my consideration for the player he was and the coach 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.'
Things went from bad to worse for Le Graet just days later, after a sports agent accused the FFF president of improper conduct over several years, saying he only was interested in her sexually.
The agent, 37-year-old Sonia Souid, said in an interview with L'Equipe sports daily that Le Graët repeatedly tried to approach her from 2013-17. She said that while she wanted to develop a business relationship with Le Graët to promote women's soccer, he was more interested in leaving messages on her voicemail late in the evening to invite her to drink champagne.
France's sports minister ordered an investigation into the federation in September after the body said it would file a defamation lawsuit against So Foot magazine, which reported that Le Graët allegedly harassed several female employees.
In addition to his role at the French soccer federation, Le Graët also has been a member of the FIFA Council since being appointed by UEFA in May 2019. The position pays $250,000 annually.
Le Graët is currently a candidate for another four-year term on FIFA's ruling committee. He is being challenged for the seat by Portuguese soccer federation president Fernando Gomes. The election is set for April 5, when UEFA member nations meet in Lisbon.
Le Graët's candidacy must pass a FIFA-run eligibility and integrity check. He can stand for election despite UEFA imposing an age limit of 70 for candidates to its own executive committee.
