Just hours after submitting his resignation from his post as president of the French Football Federation, Noël Le Graët counterattacked.
Le Breton spoke in an interview with L'Équipe during which he vigorously disputes the accusations of moral and sexual harassment of which he is the subject, the audit report and confirms that he will sue the Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra with whom relations are completely broken.
On the circumstances of his departure from the presidency of the FFF
"No, I used the verb 'leave', because I don't like 'resign'.
I thanked them for all the work we have done together.
Afterwards, there was a dialogue where everyone could intervene.
I was touched by moving speeches... From Jean-Michel
(Aulas)
, Marc
(Keller)
, Hélène
(Schrub)
, Laura
(Georges)
, Pascal
(Parent)
... Some were very moved.
It even surprised me, in a good way, and touched that some shed a little tear.
The Comex did not let go of me, as I could read it”, explained the leader ensuring not to blame “
anyone
” within the Comex.
Read alsoFFF: "Le Graët was not a good president", tackle Thiriez
On his future as a leader
Revealing that he was going to contest the report presented by the Minister of Sports after the audit at the FFF, Le Breton confided that he was going to continue his mission at the office of Fifa: “I
saw Gianni (Infantino) yesterday ( Monday) in Paris and he entrusts me with the responsibility.
I am attached to the development of football in Africa.
And, of course, if the president or someone from the Federation needs information on a file, I am really available
.
Read alsoFFF: Le Graët wants to sue the Minister of Sports for defamation and request the cancellation of the audit report
On his relationship with Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra
Noël Le Graët considers that the minister "
was judge and judged
" in the publication of the report.
“
She called me yesterday morning (Monday) telling me that she wanted to talk.
I said to her: "Hello Madam Minister, later, please".
And I hung up.
In the afternoon, I had President (Emmanuel) Macron for a long time
”, confided “
NLG
”.
Read alsoAfter his resignation from the FFF, Le Graët will lead the Paris office of Fifa
On the accusations of harassment of Florence Hardouin
“
My little finger never touched his.
I saved her place several times.
In 2019, when 14 directors out of 17 or 18 asked for his departure, then a second time after the Plein Sens audit report that I had ordered.
I protected her because she was being demolished.
And before the last World Cup in Qatar, the Comex wanted him to leave
, ”explained the former French football boss.
Read alsoFFF: So Foot, audit, Zidane … The five months that precipitated the fall of President Le Graët
On his inappropriate remarks with collaborators during his mandates.
“
I am 81 years old, I may be out of step in my way of expressing myself with a young person in his twenties.
That doesn't make me a bad person
", defended Le Graët who agreed to raise the accusations of alcoholism: "
It happens to me, with my friends or my collaborators, especially when a French team wins or that I was able to sign a big contract at the FFF.
So what ?
I know many men and women who drink champagne...
"
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