Le Graet, President Of France FA, Resigns After S*xual Assault Charges

Noel Le Graet, the president of the French Football Association, resigned from his position just one month after being placed on administrative leave due to charges of s*xual harassment.

Noel Le Graet was originally placed on administrative leave, and vice-chairman Philippe Diallo was named as acting temporarily following a week of intense controversy in January.

Le Graet has now resigned after serving in the position since 2011, the FFF announced on Tuesday.

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

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

He at first triggered a violent backlash in the French media when he publicly criticized Zinedine Zidane, the legendary manager of his country.

The president has now been suspended as a result of an urgent meeting of the FFF executive committee, after facing a harsh backlash days later due to claims of sexual harassment. Meanwhile, Le Graet has claimed his innocence.

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Le Graet was suspended after a sports agent said he had engaged in unethical behaviour over an extended period and had only shown her interest s*xually.

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

She claimed that although she wanted to work with Le Graet to promote women’s soccer, he was more interested in calling her late at night and extending an invitation to a champagne party.

The charges were made only a few days after the 81-year-old received harsh criticism for the way he handled French football icon, Zinedine Zidane.

After France was defeated by Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, Le Graet made an appearance on the French radio station RMC to discuss whether Didier Deschamps would stay on as manager. He seemed dismissive of the manager, who won three straight Champions League finals with Real Madrid.

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

Although Deschamps has since agreed to a contract extension until 2026, Le Graet’s critical remarks about Zidane, who notched a brace in France’s 1998 World Cup victory, touched a nerve with players and analysts.

On Twitter, France’s Kylian Mbappe stated, “Zidane is France, we don’t disrespect the legend like that.”

Amelie Oudea-Castera, France’s minister of sports, demanded an explanation for Le Graet’s “shameful lack of respect.”

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.”