FFP President Noel Le Graet Steps Aside Amidst Series Of Scandals

The president of the French Football Federation (FFF), Noel Le Graet, is “taking a step back” from his responsibilities, and vice president Philippe Diallo has been appointed acting interim chairman.

Just a few days after making disparaging remarks about Zinedine Zidane, Noel Le Graet resigned from his position.

Le Graet’s scandal started when he said he would not take a call from one of France’s most decorated players and added: “I don’t give a damn, he can go anywhere he wants.”

Zidane has also received a lot of attention as a possible Didier Deschamps replacement.

Le Graet reportedly said on Sunday that Zidane has little chance of replacing Deschamps despite the fact that he enjoys a large following.

Amidst the saga, Deschamps, who guided Les Bleus to World Cup victory in 2018 and runners-up honors in Qatar last month, received a new two-year contract extension, but Le Graet’s treatment of Zidane did not sit well with many.

File photo of FFP President Noel Le Graet.

While Patrick Anton, the chair of the FFF’s ethics committee, demanded that the 80-year-old retire, Kylian Mbappe tweeted his support for the “legend”, Zidane.

Le Graet, who has additionally been the subject of claims over his personal behavior, consented to do so during a meeting with the federation’s executive committee, pending the outcome of an ongoing inquiry by the Ministry of Sports.

Florence Hardouin, the general manager, was also fired by the committee, and deputy vice-president Diallo was appointed to fill both posts temporarily.

A statement from FFF read: “Noel Le Graet, in agreement with the executive committee of the FFF meeting today [January 11] in Paris, has chosen to withdraw from his duties as president of the Federation until the final communication of the audit carried out by the Ministry of Sports, and awaiting its analysis by the Comex (executive committee) of the FFF.

“The Comex of the FFF has also decided to lay off Florence Hardouin, general manager of the FFF, as a precautionary measure. As of today, Philippe Diallo, deputy vice-president of the FFF, will act as interim manager of these two functions.”