Noël Le Graët, president of the FFF since 2011, is aiming for a fourth term.

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Franck Fife / AFP

  • The president of the FFF Noël Le Graët is running for a fourth term.

  • Despite his 79 years, the Breton is the favorite against his competitors Frédéric Thiriez and Michel Moulin, before the elections of March 13.

  • This Monday in Castelmaurou, near Toulouse, he met the leaders of the districts of the Ligue Occitanie.

Applause, and a door that opens, finally, on Noël Le Graët.

On this wet Monday in Castelmaurou, in the chic and bucolic suburb north-east of Toulouse, the president of the FFF, in the running for a new mandate, was a little delayed by the few journalists who came to meet him.

This is because the meeting with the various officials of the Occitanie districts, held at the regional football center, dragged on.

Because of the concerns related to the health situation, who suspended the existence of most of the amateur clubs?

“I did not find them worried, he sweeps, accompanied by his followers, including Jean-Michel Aulas and Marc Keller.

They want football to resume and to know if the sums they receive will be maintained next year.

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Amateur football and the March 20 deadline

Faced with an elusive situation, the Breton does not commit to a date, and awaits "the green light from the government".

"Resuming competition, after March 15 or 20, it will be difficult," he admits.

But the boss of the “3 F” is “a positive person”.

He recalls in passing the imminent return of the National 2 men and the D2 women.

He also salutes the “remarkable” success of the French double-track Cup (pros and amateurs) before the reunification of the round of 16.

In political terms, the former PS mayor of Guingamp flatters his achievements and expresses his optimism: “If there is one thing about which I am not worried, it is good for football.

We will find the clubs very quickly with their sponsors and their kids.

One way of responding to its competitors, Frédéric Thiriez and Michel Moulin, who have made the defense of football from below the alpha and omega of their campaign.

Noël Le Graët, February 22, 2021 in Castelmaurou, near Toulouse.

- Nicolas Stival / 20 Minutes

The favorite is keeping a distance from his two challengers, and not just because of the Covid-19.

The debate requested by Thiriez?

Le Graët does not want it.

“I have a communication plan that I will respect,” he explains.

I started in the normal dates, 11 (February).

Some have started up since December.

They have already visited each of you two or three times.

Me, I only pass once.

My plan will end on Monday 8. "

Obviously, a shortened campaign means an accelerated schedule.

After the Haute-Garonne, the boss of the 3 F will continue this Tuesday with meetings in Marseille and Bastia.

He will undoubtedly lug around the same serenity of the outgoing who believes that his record speaks for him, starting with the results of the Blues, selection world champion and flagship of a vast fleet of more than two million licensees.

The Euro to come (June 11-July 11)?

“The France team will try to win.

Each time, Didier wants to win.

»Le Graët and Deschamps seem to be to French football what Daft Punk were to French electro until Monday.

Except that the end of this pair does not seem programmed, despite the shadow of Zinédine Zidane who lurks more and more above the selection.

"I was asked the question one day: 'If Didier quits, could Zidane (succeed him)? I answered yes.'

Except that Didier for the moment is present, very present, and I have the impression that he likes it.

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Towards an extension for Didier Deschamps?

And the end of the DD contract in December 2022 does not appear to be an insurmountable obstacle for NLG.

"If I'm here, I'll make him an offer."

"" There "is at the head of the most powerful sports federation in France, including Le Graët, reassuring about his health after having overcome a leukemia revealed in 2018, does not want to let go of the reins at all.

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