Explained: All you need to know about French football federation scandal, why Noel Le Graet resigned

Noel La Graet has resigned as president of the French Football Federation (FFF), bringing to an end his 12-year association with the organisation. His resignation came after a government audit found he no longer had the legitimacy to lead because of his behavior toward women and his management style.

Who is Noel El Graet?

A French businessman, politician and football official, El Graet has been in charge of the French Football Federation (FFF) from 2011 to 2023. He was the vice president of the FFF prior to that from 2005 to 2011.

What is Noel El Graet accused of and what is timeline of his resignation?

Long-serving FFF president Noel La Graet officially resigned on Tuesday, following a Sports Ministry audit that "highlighted the inappropriate behavior of Mr. Le Graet towards women" and a history of psychological harassment.

A statement from the FFF read, “Noel Le Graet announced today to the Executive Committee of the French Football Federation his decision to leave his functions.

Philippe Diallo, vice-president, will act as interim president of the FFF until June 10, 2023, date of the next federal assembly. Regarding the audit of the General Inspectorate for Education, Sport and Research (IGESR), the FFF notes that this report does not mention any systemic failure, nor any breach of its sovereign missions.

The FFF nevertheless notes that this report is based less on objective facts than on assessments which have sometimes led to a disproportionate denigration of the body.”

The 81-year-old Le Graët has already been under judicial investigation for alleged sexual and moral harassment. He had already stepped away from his duties pending the review of the audit’s findings by the federation’s executive committee.

He submitted his resignation at an executive committee meeting on Tuesday, according to a statement from the federation. ice president Philippe Diallo will handle Le Graët’s duties on an interim basis until June 2023, the statement said.

What did he say about Zidane?

La Graet came into controversy following his disrespectful comments regarding France legend Zinedine Zidane. The former FFF president was asked about Zinedine Zidane potentially taking over as manager of Brazil, to which he had said (at that time), “Zinédine Zidane to Brazil? I don’t give a toss. He can go wherever he wants, to a club or to a national team. I don’t really care. Did he try to ring me? Definitely not. I wouldn’t have even picked up the phone for him.”

La Graet's comments were criticized by Kylian Mbappé and Minister for Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra. The former president made his remarks immediately after France Football extended the contract of Didier Deschamps, the current head coach of Les Bleus.

Zidane was tipped to take over that role after the 2022 Qatar World Cup.