French Football president steps aside following Zidane insult

Noël Le Graët leaves role, while general manager removed

French Football Federation (FFF) President Noel Le Graet walks at the FFF headquarters after attending a hearing as part of a government audit of the federation in Paris, on January 10, 2023. - The French Sports Ministry has commissioned an audit of the French Football Federation to shed light on the body's managerial practices, amid accusations made against its president that he had mistreated employees at the federation and claims of sexual harassment.  (Photo by CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP via Getty Images)

Noël Le Graët has stepped aside as president of the French Football Federation, just days after making dismissive comments about Zinedine Zidane. Le Graët, 81, apologised to former national captain Zidane after admitting comments he made about him were “clumsy”.

Zidane had been strongly linked to succeeding Didier Deschamps as France’s head coach, but Le Graët told the radio station RMC he would not take a call from one of France’s most decorated players and added: “I don’t give a damn, he can go wherever he wants.”