French federation official calls for its president Le Graet to resign

PARIS — The head of the French Football Federation’s (FFF) national ethics committee has called for the governing body’s president Noel Le Graet to step down from his role.

Patrick Anton made the comments on Tuesday, a day after Mr. Le Graet apologized to France great Zinedine Zidane for remarks about the former Real Madrid coach which drew the ire of players, politicians and the Spanish club.

Mr. Zidane was one of the favorites to take over as manager of France if Didier Deschamps left the job but the latter’s contract was extended after he led the national team to the World Cup final, which they lost to Argentina last month.

When asked if Mr. Zidane, a World Cup winner with France in 1998 and a national icon, would now manage Brazil’s national team instead, Mr. Le Graet told RMC: “I don’t give a damn, he can go wherever he wants.”

Mr. 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.

“We need a strong and serene governance, which unfortunately is no longer the case. All season long we have to apply the rules of ethics to leaders — especially district and league presidents — and refer cases to disciplinary committees because they have crossed the line.

“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.”

L’Equipe reported that a meeting of the FFF executive committee would take place on Wednesday.

The FFF was not immediately available to comment.

Earlier, France forward Kylian Mbappé also voiced his disapproval of Mr. Le Graet’s comments, saying on Twitter: “Zidane is France, we don’t disrespect the legend like that.”

France’s Minister for Sports Amelie Oudea-Castera was one of many politicians who reacted to Mr. Le Graet’s remarks, saying the president of the country’s “biggest sporting federation” had crossed a line. — Reuters