French federation head Le Graet quits amid harassment allegations

PARIS: Noel Le Graet has resigned as president of France’s soccer federation amid allegations of harassment and sexual harassment and a government ministry audit this month that concluded the 81-year-old no longer had “the necessary legitimacy” for the job. Le Graet, head of the French Football Federation since 2011, stepped back last month amid a legal investigation into allegations against him of sexual and moral harassment and after an audit and report commissioned by the sports ministry. Earlier this month, a French sports ministry audit concluded Le Graet was no longer fit to administer and represent the sport in France and “highlighted the inappropriate behavior of Mr.Le Graet toward women.” Le Graet, who presided over his last executive committee on Tuesday, has denied any wrongdoing, and the FFF has criticized the ministry’s audit as being less than objective.

“Noel Le Graet announced... to the Executive Committee of the French Football Federation his decision to step down from his position,” the FFF said in a statement. The FFF said vice president Philippe Diallo will act as interim president until June 10, the date of the next federal assembly.

Le Graet, whose mandate was due to end in 2024, had also come under fire for extending the contract of men’s coach Didier Deschamps until 2026 and for making derogatory comments aimed at France great Zinedine Zidane. Diallo spoke highly of Le Graet after the executive committee meeting. “It was a very important meeting for French football which began with an intervention by Mr.