It had been more than four months since Florence Hardouin had spoken publicly, since a heart attack she suffered following her dismissal and dismissal from her position as director general of the FFF. In an interview with L'Equipe, she returned to this episode and the criticism that fell on her. "I'm slowly recovering. Physically, I remain cautious, I am medically monitored. The hardest part is the psychological aspect," she says.
Admitting that she did not anticipate a layoff, especially in this way, she explains the strong criticism that has targeted her, including misogyny and homophobia. "I worked for many things at the federation concerning women. Firstly, on equal pay. Making the necessary catch-ups is important. Pushing women to great responsibilities as well," she said, adding that she was shocked to hear accusations of homophobia.
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Florence Hardouin admits to having been an intractable leader. "It's true, I'm demanding. It is also true that I set ambitious goals, but I made sure that they were achievable and that we all achieved them together with the employees (...) When I had difficult decisions to make, I made them. I can be cash and direct. Not everyone likes it, but does that make me a hateful, brutal person? I have flaws like everyone else but frankly, I'm not the monster we've been able to describe," she says.
"I should have had the courage to say it"
The former director general also referred to "inappropriate behavior and inappropriate remarks" she suffered, which had prompted him to file a complaint for "sexual and moral harassment" as part of the preliminary investigation opened against Noël Le Graët. "I should have had the courage to say it more openly or denounce it. But you are afraid to denounce such things because you also care about your position, "she regrets.
Asked about Corinne Diacre's dismissal, she admits she was "shocked by the way she was treated and fired," adding that she called her and saying she understood "the violence and brutality of what happened to her."
Finally, she returns to the information of the World, which states that the former director general claims a sum of 2.5 million euros to the FFF for the damages suffered following her dismissal. She had also seized the prud'hommes at the end of March to obtain the nullity of it. "It is first and foremost a reparation for the damage to my image, my honor, my health. And then, as in all these stories, it also involves a financial reparation that I assume, "she concludes.