Soyaux president on Noël Le Graët: “I’m ashamed to have such a character as head of the FFF.” | OneFootball

In an open letter published by Le Parisien, Benoît Letapissier, president of D1F (France’s top women’s football division) club Soyaux has heavily criticised French Football Federation president Noël Le Graët and called for his swift resignation. Due to the backlash from his comments on Zinédine Zidane, and amidst accusations of sexual harassment and inappropriate advances, the FFF chief is facing mounting political pressure and has called an extraordinary executive board meeting this Wednesday.

In his letter, Letapissier states that Le Graët “regularly makes totally unacceptable remarks about women football, equality between men and women, homophobia and racism, that belong to another age.” According to the Soyaux president, those dismissive, “saloon bar-worthy“, and out-of-touch remarks embarrass and “ashame French footballers.” Letapissier also rips into the “shocking” way that Le Graët led Didier Deschamps’ renewal at the head of Les Bleus until 2026. “It doesn’t surprise anyone anymore, such is the absence of democracy at the FFF.” The Breton has kept his executive committee in the dark regarding Deschamps’ three-and-a-half-year contract extension.

The Soyaux president has called for the resignation of Noël Le Graët, and if the 81-year-old fails to do so, he has said that he will file a nationwide petition. “I’m ashamed to have such a character as head of the FFF“, adds Letapissier.