French football president Noel Le Graet under fire for ‘awkward remarks’ on Zinedine Zidane

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The French football federation’s national ethics committee has called for the resignation of president Noel Le Graet for his “awkward remarks” on Zinedine Zidane.

New Delhi ,UPDATED: Jan 10, 2023 23:45 IST

Noel Le Graet is under fire for comments on Zinedine Zidane. (Photo: Twitter)

By India Today Web Desk: The French Football Federation’s (FFF) national ethics committee has called for the resignation of its president Noel Le Graet for his “awkward remarks” on Zinedine Zidane.

The head of FFF’s national ethics committee said a day after Le Graet apologised to Zidane for comments about the former Real Madrid coach, which sparked controversy.

Zidane was considered as one of the favourites to take charge of France had Didier Deschamps stepped down, but his contract was extended following the 2022 World Cup final, where France lost to Argentina.

When Le Graet was asked whether Zidane would manage Brazil, he told RMC: “I don’t give a damn, he can go wherever he wants.” The FFF president added that he would not even pick up the call if Zidane called, which led to a backlash before he eventually apologised.

“I would like to present my personal apologies for these remarks which absolutely do not reflect my thoughts, nor my consideration for the player he was and the coach he has become,” Le Graet said in a statement reported by L’Equipe.

After Le Graet’s comments, the FFF national ethics committee head Patrick Anton told French newspaper L’Equipe: “Le Graet has made comments that show he has lost some of his lucidity. He is a man who is tired, who needs to move on.

“As far as the president of the federation is concerned, while we obviously do not intend to refer the matter to a disciplinary committee, we can only ask him to step down in the best interests of football.”

France forward Kylian Mbappe also criticised Le Graet’s remarks by tweeting “Zidane is France, we don’t disrespect the legend like that.”

Published On:

Jan 10, 2023



Source: www.indiatoday.in

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