Europe 1 with AFP 5:43 p.m., January 11, 2023

Shortly after the announcement of the withdrawal of Noël Le Graët at the head of the French Football Federation, Didier Deschamps refused to comment on Wednesday, while judging his remarks on Zinedine Zidane "inappropriate".

"I think it's a very good thing that he apologized to 'Zizou'," added the coach of the Blues.

The coach of the France team Didier Deschamps refused Wednesday in Nice to comment on the withdrawal of the president of the French Football Federation (FFF) Noël Le Graët, decided shortly before, while judging "inappropriate" his remarks on Zinédine Zidane.

After several controversies and his discourteous words towards Zidane on RMC on Sunday, Noël Le Graët was "withdrawn" from the presidency of the FFF on Wednesday, during an extraordinary meeting of its Executive Committee.

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"Before I am asked questions, I prefer to say a few words about my president's statements. His remarks (on Zidane, editor's note), as he acknowledged and admitted, were inappropriate", declared Deschamps in front of the media, in Nice, on the occasion of the launch of the yellow pieces operation of which he is the sponsor.

"I think it's a very good thing that he apologized to 'Zizou'," added the coach.

An extension validated by the executive committee

"The sporting situation has led to a sporting rivalry between the two of us, even for some an opposition. I will always have a lot of respect for him in relation to what we have lived and shared together. Already in our first life as a player and in relation to what he is, what he represents in French football and sport," said the former Olympique de Marseille midfielder, whose term as head des Bleus has been extended until 2026, a decision validated on Wednesday by the executive committee.

Relaunched by a journalist on the withdrawal of Le Graët, the boss of the Blues refused to say more: "It is not planned, that is not planned today".

In the middle of a crowd of children, to whom he gave many selfies, Deschamps participated in the launch in Nice of the 34th edition of the yellow pieces operation, in the company of Brigitte Macron.