Diallo, Platini, Keller… Who will succeed Noël Le Graët in the event of his definitive departure?

Is the dismissal of Noël Le Graët from the presidency of the French Football Federation (FFF) only temporary?

The broadcast of a testimony recounting his sexist behavior and his cookie-cutter remarks targeting Zinedine Zidane led to his withdrawal, Wednesday, January 11, during an extraordinary Executive Committee (Comex).

Officially, the committee is awaiting the results of the audit on the management of the FFF, commissioned by the Ministry of Sports, to make a final decision.

Although Noël Le Graët swore that nothing unfavorable would come out of it, the daily L'Équipe believes that the leader's return to his post is unlikely.

So who to succeed the Breton menhir?

Among the personalities mentioned, three names stand out: Philippe Diallo, Marc Keller and Michel Platini.

• Philippe Diallo: an interim that could last

Philippe Diallo is the interim head of the French Football Federation.

© Anne-Christine Poujoulat, AFP

The withdrawal of Noël Le Graët propelled him into the spotlight by offering him the interim presidency of the FFF.

Unknown to the general public, Philippe Diallo is nevertheless a connoisseur of the mysteries of football.

The 59-year-old led for almost 30 years (from 1992 to 2021) the Union of Professional Football Clubs (UCPF), the employers' union for professional clubs, and notably played an important role in transfer reforms of players.

This technocrat with a degree in public law and business law also has international experience as a single judge at the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber since 2003. Since 2013, he has also been at the head of the Social Council of the Sports Movement ( Cosmos), an employers' organization bringing together several thousand structures (clubs, leagues, event organizers, etc.).

For Frédéric Jaillant, former journalist and communication officer for the Professional Football League (LFP) under the presidency of Thiriez, Philippe Diallo is "one of the least known personalities in French football but without doubt one of the most powerful and most influential. He is both pragmatic and political."

In recent months, the deputy vice-president had endeavored to clear up the many controversies surrounding the Federation, announcing for example a reflection to create a compensation fund for victims of accidents at work on the construction sites of the World Cup in Qatar.

Now at the head of the association, at least until the next Executive Committee, Philippe Diallo will be responsible for stabilizing a weakened body.

"Once he is in office, we will see that he is 'the right man at the right place' ('the right person in the right place', Editor's note). It will be obvious to everyone, "says again Frederic Jaillant.

• Marc

   Keller: Noël Le Graët's heir

Marc Keller is the president of RC Strasbourg.

© Frederick Florin, AFP

Joining the FFF Executive Committee for the first time in March 2021 on the Le Graët Christmas list, Marc Keller, 54, is the rising man in French football.

The former striker is the president of the revival of Racing Club de Strasbourg, which he took over in 2012 after a bankruptcy that led to the loss of his professional status.

Pampered supporters, privileged links with local businesses, partnership with the Region... Marc Keller has put the local at the heart of his club's strategy and it works.

RC Strasbourg returns to Ligue 1 in 2017 and even wins the Coupe de la Ligue in 2019. Its success is hailed by all of French football and Noël Le Graët, who identifies with him, has never hidden his desire to do so. see him succeed.

"Marc Keller is a man who has done well with his life and his club. He is not bringing her back for anything and nothing. Of course, he will have to sell his club by then, which is not the most easy. But if Marc Keller is free, I would like him to take my place", said Noël Le Graët in March 2022.

However, the Strasbourgeois was rather waiting for the 2024 elections to get started.

The situation of his club (19th in Ligue 1), to which he says he devotes all his energy, could lead him to give up an early takeover.

• Michel Platini

  : a comeback?

Michel Platini smiled again after his acquittal.

© Fabrice Coffrini, AFP

Former president of UEFA (2007-2015), co-president of the Organizing Committee of the 1998 World Cup but also ex-vice-president of the FFF, Michel Platini is used to institutions and their workings.

His footballing legitimacy is also indisputable: he was the man who brought France their first international trophy in 1984 and won three consecutive Ballons d'Or from 1984 to 1986.

Despite the necessary independence of the federation vis-à-vis the government in terms of appointing its leader, it would seem that the name of Michel Platini is acclaimed by President Emmanuel Macron and the Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.

The first would have tested the waters by SMS, according to RMC, while the second must meet "Platoche" in February, after the delivery of the audit which could seal the fate of Noël Le Graët.

However, Michel Platini is reluctant to dive back.

And for good reason: since 2015, his name has been involved in the corruption scandal concerning the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

Suspected of fraud, he recently won his case and was acquitted after six years of proceedings.

But the Swiss prosecutor's office appealed.

• Other candidates

  ?

Close to Noël Le Graët, the president of Olympique Lyonnais,

, firmly established and recognized, is the perfect candidate.

But, at the end of the Comex, he still swore that the position did not interest him.

The timing would however be ideal, Jean-Michel Aulas passing on the reins of his club to the American John Textor.

Jamel Sandjak

, the president of the League of Paris-Ile de France who rallied to Noël Le Graët during the last election, is an ambitious figure.

He could try to take control of the FFF.

Just like

.

The former boss of the LFP had seen his list beaten in the last elections, but he could try his luck again by taking advantage of the discomfiture of his former opponent.

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