The probe was opened on Monday after football agent Sonia Souid made accusations towards Le Graet in an affair that has shaken French football simply weeks after France have been crushed by Argentina within the World Cup ultimate.
(FILES) In this file picture taken on March 08, 2021 (FILES) In this file picture taken on March 8, 2021 President of French football affiliation (FFF) Noel Le Graet solutions journalists’ query in Paris. Picture: AFP.
PARIS, FRANCE – The president of the French Football Federation, Noel Le Graet, has been positioned under investigation for sexual and psychological harassment, prosecutors instructed AFP on Tuesday.
The probe was opened on Monday after football agent Sonia Souid made accusations towards Le Graet in an affair that has shaken French football simply weeks after France have been crushed by Argentina within the World Cup ultimate.
“He very clearly said to me in his apartment that if I wanted him to help me, I had to let him have his way with me,” mentioned Souid, who gave interviews to sports activities every day L’Equipe and radio station RMC.
Le Graet, who has been president of the FFF since 2011 however was compelled to step down final week pending the end result of an audit of the federation carried out by France’s Sports Ministry, has denied any wrongdoing.
In a press release despatched to AFP by his attorneys, Le Graet mentioned he “denies all accusations of psychological or sexual harassment or any other criminal offence”.
Despite stepping apart final week, the 81-year-old continues to be formally recognised as president by world governing physique FIFA.
He had confronted calls to resign, together with from Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera, after what he admitted have been “clumsy remarks” about Zinedine Zidane’s potential curiosity in teaching the French nationwide staff.
Le Graet mentioned in an interview with RMC that he “wouldn’t even have taken his call” when requested whether or not Zidane, a World Cup winner as a participant and an all-time France nice, had rung him to precise an curiosity in taking on as coach from Didier Deschamps.
Deschamps, who led France to World Cup glory in 2018 and oversaw their run to final month’s ultimate, lately signed a brand new contract to remain as coach till 2026.
DEFEND HIMSELF
Le Graet, whose mandate runs till 2024, has been changed on an interim foundation by Philippe Diallo, a vice-president of the organisation.
Newspaper Le Monde first revealed on the weekend that Le Graet had been reported to prosecutors by officers finishing up the audit of the Paris-based physique after a declare of “sexist insults” was made towards him.
Le Graet’s attorneys instructed AFP he was shocked to find via the media that an investigation had been opened and complained in regards to the “numerous interventions and political pressure” from Oudea-Castera.
“Mr Le Graet has not had the chance to read about the elements of the investigation that concern him, or to defend himself,” the assertion added.
Oudea-Castera tweeted in assist of Souid after her revelations got here out. “Well done for being so brave. Our audit will do you justice,” the Sports Minister wrote.
The affair casts a shadow over French football so quickly after they misplaced on penalties to Argentina in an epic ultimate in Qatar.
Seeking to change into the primary staff since Brazil 60 years in the past to efficiently defend the World Cup, France got here from two objectives down to attract the ultimate 3-3 with Kylian Mbappe scoring a hat-trick, earlier than shedding within the shoot-out.
The French males’s staff return to motion on the finish of March when the qualifying marketing campaign for Euro 2024 begins.
The French ladies’s staff, ranked fifth on the planet, have certified for this yr’s World Cup, which takes place in Australia and New Zealand in July and August.