look back on his tormented years at the head of the FFF

Tuesday, February 28, a page turned. After nearly 12 years at the top of French football, Noël Le Graët resigned in the morning. Philippe Diallo, the new interim president, says: “This resignation allows the federation today to continue its march forward and at Noël Le Graët, certainly, to better defend itself.” Defending against controversy: verbal slippages, accusations of harassment and an overwhelming audit mission commissioned by the Ministry of Sports. On February 15, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the Minister of Sports, said: “I can only endorse the conclusion of the report. It no longer has the necessary legitimacy to administer and represent French football.”

A complaint for defamation

Tuesday evening, Noël Le Graët counter-attacks. His lawyers announce that a complaint for defamation will be filed against the Minister of Sports. They are asking for the cancellation of this audit report. The final episode of long tormented years, like in 2019 when he seemed to minimize the problem of homophobia in the stadiums. A year later, he shocked several players by believing that there is little or no racism in football. A fervent defender of the world in Qatar, he had also swept aside questions on human rights and had dared to scratch the icon Zinédine Zidane. The skid will precipitate his fall, but not yet his retreat. At 81, Noël Le Graët will head the Paris office of FIFA.