L’Équipe via AFP report this morning that the Paris public prosecutors have opened an investigation into FFF president Noël Le Graët for “bullying and sexual harassment”.
The investigation comes after those carrying out the government’s audit into the FFF passed on potential evidence of wrongdoing, specifically of “gender-related or sexist contempt”.
The president, who stepped back from his duties in the wake of backlash regarding his dismissive comments on Zinédine Zidane, was also the subject of accusations from football agent Sonia Souid, who has detailed persistent inappropriate advances on his part in interviews last week. In September, an investigation by So Foot alleged a number of incidents of sexual harassment within the FFF, notably the president sending inappropriate text messages to younger female colleagues. This notably prompted the government’s audit, even if denied the accusations, with Le Graët claiming he does not know how to send a text.
Noël Le Graët is set to remain withdrawn from the president until the end of the month, when the audit conclusions are published. Until then, the vice-president Philippe Diallo will remain at the helm.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
