Embattled president of France’s soccer federation Noel Le Graet has resigned amid a scandal over harassment, together with sexual harassment and a damning audit, the federation confirmed on Tuesday.
Le Graet, head of the FFF since 2011, had taken a step again amid a authorized investigation into alleged sexual and ethical harassment and a report commissioned by the sports activities ministry.
Earlier this month, the audit concluded that the 81-year-old now not had “the required legitimacy” to manage and signify the game in France and “highlighted the inappropriate conduct of Le Graet in direction of girls”.
Le Graet, who presided over his final government committee on Tuesday, has denied any wrongdoing.
“Noel Le Graet introduced … to the Government Committee of the French Soccer Federation his determination to step down from his place,” the FFF stated in an announcement.
“Philippe Diallo, vice-president, will act as interim president of the FFF till June 10, 2023, the date of the following federal meeting.”
Le Graet, whose mandate was attributable to finish in 2024, had come below hearth for extending the contract of males’s coach Didier Deschamps till 2026 and for derogatory feedback geared toward France nice Zinedine Zidane.
French soccer has been in turmoil lately regardless of the nationwide facet reaching their fourth World Cup ultimate within the final seven editions of the event, shedding to Argentina in Qatar final December.
The French girls’s crew coach, Corinne Diacre, has additionally been below hearth.
Workforce captain Wendie Renard stated final week she wouldn’t play at this yr’s Ladies’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
In response to a report in French multimedia outlet RMC Sport, Renard stated she is not going to play for the nationwide facet so long as Diacre is in cost.
Fellow internationals Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani additionally stated they have been taking a step again from the nationwide crew.
