The President of the France Football Federation (FFF), Noel Le Graet, announced his resignation. The 81-year-old was the subject of a sexual misconduct investigation and was recently criticized for his comments about Zinedine Zidane.
The FFF also commissioned a damning audit, which concluded that Le Graet no longer had “the necessary legitimacy” to represent the sport in France. The news of Le Graet’s resignation has sent shockwaves throughout the French football community, with many questioning what this means for the future of the sport in France.
Le Graet had been the president of the FFF since 2011, and his mandate was due to end in 2024. However, his tenure ended abruptly due to the allegations of sexual misconduct and the audit commissioned by the French sports ministry.
Le Graet has denied the allegations of sexual misconduct, but the audit conducted by the FFF concluded that he no longer had the necessary authority to continue in his role. The report also highlighted Le Graet’s “inappropriate behaviour towards women.”
The former FFF president had also come under fire for extending the contract of men’s coach Didier Deschamps until 2026 and for his derogatory comments about France’s great Zinedine Zidane.
Le Graet’s resignation has affected the FFF and the French women’s team. Coach Corinne Diacre has been under pressure from players such as Wendie Renard, who recently announced that she would not play at this year’s Women’s World Cup if Diacre remained in charge.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani have also said they will take a step back from the national team. Le Graet’s resignation has sparked an outcry from the French football community, with many questioning the future of the sport in France.
The FFF has stated that Le Graet’s current vice-president, Philippe Diallo, will become interim president until June 10, when the next FFF assembly will occur.
It will be up to the new president to decide the fate of the FFF and the future of French football. Le Graet’s resignation from the FFF has raised many questions about football in France.
It is yet to be seen how the new president will handle the allegations of sexual misconduct and the audit. It also needs to be determined how the French women’s team will be affected by Le Graet’s departure. The French football community is now waiting for the results of the next FFF assembly.
The FFF needs to make changes to ensure that such allegations of sexual misconduct never happen again. It is up to the new president to ensure that the FFF is a safe and welcoming environment for all players and staff. Only then will the FFF be able to regain the trust of the French football community.