Foot: the French Federation attacks the magazine "So Foot" for defamation

The president of the French Football Federation (FFF), Noël Le Graët, during a press conference in Istra, Russia, on June 14, 2018. © AFP / Archives

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The French Football Federation (FFF) announced on September 15 in a press release that it had decided to file " 

 " against the magazine

, which notably published in its September 8 edition alleged testimonies of sexual harassment.

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After several days of silence, the French Football Federation (FFF) has announced that it is suing the magazine

for defamation following its revelations about the internal dysfunctions of the institution.

The FFF, led since 2011 by Noël Le Graët, finds itself in turmoil at a delicate moment, as the World Cup in Qatar is fast approaching and Didier Deschamps, the coach of the France team, announced a few hours the list of players summoned for the last gathering of the Blues before this crucial deadline.

According to a source interviewed by the magazine

, several women have resigned from the body in recent years due to recurrent sexual and moral harassment behavior.

In its issue of September 8, the newspaper

revealed in particular anonymous testimonies, including three extracts from undated SMS which would have been recipients of current or past collaborators of the Federation and which would have been sent by its president, Noël Le Graët.

In addition to the accusations against the president of the body, it is also the internal management of the FFF and the conflicts around the general manager Florence Hardouin which are pointed out by the magazine.

Noël Le Graët brushes aside resignation rumors

The decision to file a defamation complaint against

was taken following a meeting of the FFF's executive committee, during which the subject was discussed.

Until then silent, the body has nevertheless not indicated against which specific elements of the investigation it has decided to file a complaint.

At the center of the revelations, and despite rumors circulating about his possible departure at the end of the 2022 World Cup, Noël Le Graët for his part declared in an interview with

to have " 

 ”.

“ 

 ”, explained the Breton leader aged 80, re-elected in 2021 at the head of the body.

Didier Deschamps, questioned during the press conference following the announcement of the list of Blues, first chose not to comment on the accusations against its president.

“ 

 , ”he first replied to a journalist questioning him about a possible resignation of Noël Le Graët.

Before admitting: “ 

 »

(

AFP)

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