Noël Le Graët quits as head of French football after harassment allegations

Noël Le Graët has resigned as president of France’s football federation amid allegations of harassment, including sexual harassment, and a damning audit.

Le Graët, who had been the head of the FFF since 2011, took a step back from the role amid a legal investigation into alleged sexual and moral harassment and a report commissioned by the sports ministry.

This month the audit concluded that the 81-year-old no longer had “the necessary legitimacy” to administer and represent the sport in France and “highlighted the inappropriate behaviour of Mr Le Graët towards women”.

Le Graët, who presided over his last executive committee on Tuesday, has denied any wrongdoing.

“Noel Le Graët announced … to the executive committee of the French Football Federation his decision to step down from his position,” the FFF said in a statement. “Philippe Diallo, vice-president, will act as interim president of the FFF until 10 June 2023, the date of the next federal assembly.”

Le Graët, whose mandate was due to end in 2024, had been criticised for extending the contract of the men’s coach Didier Deschamps until 2026 and for derogatory comments aimed at the France great Zinedine Zidane, for which he apologised.