Noel Le Graet investigated for ‘moral, sexual harassment’

The Paris prosecutor’s workplace stated on Tuesday it had opened an investigation for ethical and sexual harassment in opposition to French soccer federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet.

Le Graet, who has beforehand denied allegations of sexual harassment throughout an audit commissioned by the sports activities ministry, final week “took a step back” from his duties, with Philippe Diallo appearing as interim president, the FFF stated.

Le Graet was not instantly obtainable for touch upon Tuesday.

“In response to a report from the IGESR [General Inspection of Education, Sport and Research] on Jan. 13, 2023, an investigation was opened yesterday into charges of moral harassment and sexual harassment,” the prosecutor’s workplace instructed Reuters.

Last September, the Sports ministry ordered an audit of the federation after the FFF stated it might file a defamation lawsuit in opposition to So Foot journal, which reported that Le Graet allegedly harassed a number of feminine staff.

Le Graet, 81, has additionally come below hearth from gamers and politicians for criticising French soccer icon and 1998 World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane.

He was additionally criticised for extending France coach Didier Deschamps’s contract till 2026, two years after his time period on the head of the FFF expires.