Didier Deschamps Noel Le-Graet Qatar France Spain Brazil Argentina Football Sporting rowing on Didier Deschamps Noel Le-Graet Qatar France Spain Brazil Argentina

French football president apologises for 'awkward remarks' on Zidane after backlash

channelnewsasia.com

:France Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet apologised to Zinedine Zidane on Monday after his comments on the former Real Madrid coach drew the ire of players, politicians and even the Spanish club.Zidane was one of the favourites to take charge of the national team if Didier Deschamps had stepped down but his contract was extended after he led France to the World Cup final, where they lost to Argentina in Qatar last month.When asked if Zidane, a World Cup winner with France in 1998 and a national icon, would now manage the Brazilian national team instead, Le Graet had told RMC: "I don't give a damn, he can go wherever he wants."Le Graet added he would not even pick up the phone if Zidane called, prompting a backlash and his subsequent apology."I would like to present my personal apologies for these remarks which absolutely do not reflect my thoughts, nor my consideration for the player he was and the coach he has become," Le Graet said in a statement reported by L'Equipe."I admit that I made awkward remarks which created a misunderstanding.

Zidane knows the immense esteem I have for him, like all French people."On Sunday, Le Graet had said Zidane was on the radar and had plenty of support but stood no chance of replacing Deschamps."Who can make serious reproaches to Deschamps?

Nobody... If Zidane tried to contact me? Certainly not, I wouldn't even pick up the phone," he had said.Zidane was the first coach to win the Champions League three times in a row when he was in charge of Real Madrid.The 50-year-old, who also won the 2000 European Championship with France in a glittering playing career, is currently without a job after he left his role with the Spanish club last year.'LACK OF RESPECT'France forward

Related News
PARIS :The head of France's LNH Handball league has been handed a one-year suspended prison sentence for corruption of a minor and recording of child pornography images, his lawyer said on Wednesday.
PARIS : The head of France's LNH Handball league faces charges of corruption of a minor and recording of child pornography images, the Paris prosecutor's office said on Wednesday.
PARIS : The French football federation's president Noel Le Graet, who is under legal investigation for moral and sexual harassment and stepped back amid criticism of his governance, totally failed in his duty to represent the body, the Sports Minister said on Friday.
PARIS: The Paris prosecutor's office said on Tuesday (Jan 17) it had opened an investigation for moral and sexual harassment against French football federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet.
French football federation president Noel Le Graet is facing an investigation after allegations of “sexual and moral harassment” were made against him by a female sports agent.
PARIS : The Paris prosecutor's office said on Tuesday it had opened an investigation for moral and sexual harassment against French soccer federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet.

Latest News

Change privacy settings
This page might use cookies if your analytics vendor requires them.