France Football Federation president Noel Le Graet hit with sexual misconduct allegations | OneFootball

France Football Federation president Noel Yves Le Graet has been accused of sexual misconduct by employees of the FFF, according to an investigation by So Foot magazine (via Foot Mercato).

Current and former employees anonymously accuse the 80-year-old of sexual harassment.

The women also have messages to prove his behaviour. One of the accusers described him as someone who jumps on anything that moves.

One accuser reported that everyone knows Le Graet’s behaviour, alluding that it has been going on for ten years.

They accuse Le Graet of sending inappropriate messages such as ‘come and dine with me tonight’, ‘I prefer blondes, so if that tells you…’, and ‘you are awfully curvy, I would put you in my bed’.

Several women resigned because they were ‘sexually but also morally harassed’. Many retired due to harassment and bullying.

However, Le Graet is not the only person accused of improper sexual behaviour at the FFF.

Clairefontaine director Eric Latronico, financial director Marc Varin, legal director Jean Lapeyre and Le Graet have been accused of making jokes about women’s chests and the length of their dresses.

Varin reportedly tried to kiss a young employee twice. He allegedly made his first attempt at an end-of-year dinner. He tried again after France drew against Denmark at the 2018 World Cup.

The employee reported to the police, but the case was dismissed after an investigation.

The same woman complained against the FFF. An investigation was launched and it showed the ‘toxic and hostile atmosphere towards women’.

The FFF claimed that the woman allegedly experienced a friendly working environment. They claim that she could not understand as she was new to the organisation.

The woman received €10,000 in damages, subject to the FFF’s ongoing appeal. The judge believes that the woman was a victim of bullying.

There are also allegations of workplace politics. President La Graet backed Varin against the young employee and now chief women’s representative in the FFF, the general director, Florence Hardouin.

However, Hardouin is no saint either. She reportedly said that sexist jokes were part of the ‘folklore of football’ at a seminar in 2016.

There are also allegations that she symbolises an alcoholic culture at the FFF.