FFF president to stand down until conclusion of investigation

French Football Federation President Noel le Graet is to stand down until an ongoing investigation into claims of sexual harassment and bullying at the organisation is completed.

The French government began an audit last October after being made aware of the allegations, which the FFF denies.

The head of the French football governing body has previously faced claims of sexual harassment, which he also denies.

His decision to step aside also comes after calls for him to quit over his comments about Zinedine Zidane.

Le Graet took office in 2011 and had a mandate to continue in his role until 2024.

An FFF statement said Le Graet had agreed with the body’s executive committee to stand down at an emergency meeting on Wednesday until the end of the investigation.

The results of the audit are expected by the end of this month.

The FFF’s Director General, Florence Hardouin, has also been suspended “as a precautionary measure”.

Both Hardouin’s and Le Graet’s duties will be fulfilled by Philippe Diallo, deputy vice-president of the FFF, on an interim basis.

French Sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera, called for the audit after an investigation into the FFF by So Foot magazine, also advised the FFF’s executive committee to “take responsibility” when speaking to reporters on Monday.

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