Noel Le Graet, President of the French Football Federation, has resigned less than a month after being suspended due to sexual harassment allegations, glamsquad reports
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Following a week of high controversy, Noel Le Graet was initially suspended in January, with vice-chairman Philippe Diallo named as acting interim.
The FFF confirmed on Tuesday that Le Graet had stepped down after serving in the position since 2011.
‘Noel Le Graet announced… his decision to step down from his position to the Executive Committee of the French Football Federation,’ the FFF said in a statement.
‘Philippe Diallo, vice-president, will serve as interim president of the FFF until the next federal assembly on June 10, 2023.’
He sparked outrage in French media after publicly dismissing national legend Zinedine Zidane’s managerial abilities.
Following an emergency meeting of the FFF executive committee, the president was suspended after allegations of sexual harassment were leveled against him. Le Graet has maintained his innocence.
Le Graet was suspended after a sports agent accused him of inappropriate behavior over several years, claiming he only showed her sexual interest.
Sonia Souid, 37, claimed in an interview with L’Equipe that Le Graet approached her repeatedly between 2013 and 2017.
She claimed that, while she wanted to work with Le Graet to promote women’s soccer, he was more interested in leaving messages on her voicemail late at night inviting her to drink champagne.
The allegations came just days after the 81-year-old was heavily chastised for how he treated French football legend Zinedine Zidane.
Le Graet appeared on French radio station RMC to discuss whether Didier Deschamps would be retained as France manager following their defeat in the 2022 World Cup final by Argentina in Qatar, and appeared dismissive of the manager who led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League finals.