China News Agency, Paris, February 28 (Reporter Li Yang) French Football Federation President Noel Le Graet resigned on the 28th local time.

He has been accused of being embroiled in a sex scandal, while also being controversial for making offensive remarks against French football legend Zinedine Zidane.

　　The 81-year-old Le Graet has been president of the French Football Federation since 2011. His current fourth term as president was originally supposed to end in 2024.

During his tenure as chairman of the Football Association, the French national football team reemerged, winning the World Cup in 2018 and becoming the World Cup runner-up in 2022.

　　However, Le Graet's seemingly stable position in the French football management has been seriously shaken this year.

He was interviewed by the French media in January. When talking about whether Zidane would take over Didier Deschamps as the head coach of the French national team in the future, Le Graet claimed that he would not even answer Zidane's phone call.

　　Le Graet's remarks were quickly criticized by all walks of life in France.

French star Mbappe expressed his strong dissatisfaction through social media.

Although Le Graet later apologized for his remarks, it failed to quell the outrage in the sports world.

He was suspended at the French Football Federation's executive committee meeting in January, pending a report on his audit by French officials.

　　The French official audit report, released in February, is even more detrimental to Le Graet.

Le Graet was accused by former female employees of the Football Association of being sexually harassed by him. The report concluded that Le Graet "should not be reinstated" and that his relevant behavior has made him unfit to continue as the president of the Football Association.

　　The French Sports Ministry also supported Le Graet's resignation, saying that he "no longer has the legitimacy to manage and represent French football".

The French Football Federation's presidency has now been taken over by Vice-President Diallo.

　　Le Graet has found a new job. He was appointed by FIFA President Infantino as the representative of the FIFA French office.

Agence France-Presse said Le Graet had a close relationship with Infantino.

(over)