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PARIS (Reuters) – French Football Federation (FFF) president Noël Le Graet has taken a “step back” from his duties, with vice-president Philippe Diallo appointed as acting interim president, the FFF said on Wednesday.
“Noël Le Graet has agreed to the meeting of the FFF Executive Committee held today in Paris, as president of the federation pending the definitive communication of the audit commissioned by the Ministry of Sport, pending its analysis. I have decided to take a step back from the duties of the FFF’s executive committee,” the FFF said in a statement after the executive committee’s emergency meeting.
Le Graet, 81, has been accused of sexual harassment, an accusation he has denied, for criticizing French football icon and 1998 World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane. He has been criticized by athletes and politicians.
He was also criticized for extending the contract of French coach Didier Deschamps until 2026.
The FFF added that the deal was verified by the executive committee on Wednesday.
Le Grae, former mayor of Guingamp and president of the western town football club that won the 2009 French Cup under his leadership, took office in 2011.
The FFF added that general director Florence Hardwin has been “provisionally suspended” and that Diallo is also taking her role on an interim basis.
Last September, the sports ministry ordered an audit of the FFF, which said it would file a defamation lawsuit against So Foot magazine.
Reporting by Julien Pretot, Editing by Pritha Sarkar
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