Last Updated: March 01, 2023, 21:42 IST
Noel Le Graet (AFP Image)
Le Graet resigned following accusations of sexual and psychological harassment, bringing to an finish greater than a decade in cost.
The feminine soccer agent who accused French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet of undesirable sexual advances, precipitating his downfall, has hit out at FIFA after it emerged the veteran administrator was set to hold on working for the game’s world governing physique.
“I ask Gianni Infantino: what message are you sending to the victims of racism, of homophobia, of sexism? As the very best authority, FIFA ought to apply a coverage of zero tolerance,” Sonia Souid told AFP on Wednesday.
Several members of the French federation’s executive committee confirmed on Tuesday after Le Graet’s resignation that he would continue to work at FIFA’s recently-opened office in Paris as a delegate to Infantino, the president.
It is a position he was named to in January last year.
“I am going to take over the management of FIFA’s Paris office, from next week,” the 81-year-old Le Graet instructed Wednesday’s version of French sports activities every day L’Equipe.
“It has been mentioned with Gianni Infantino. The concept has been within the pipeline for a whereas.”
The newspaper reported that Le Graet had met with Infantino in Paris on Monday, when the FIFA chief was in the city for the staging of The Best awards ceremony.
It added that Le Graet’s role would see him work with African national teams, and that he would not be paid.
Le Graet resigned following accusations of sexual and psychological harassment, bringing to an end more than a decade in charge.
His departure came a fortnight after the publication of a damning report into management practices at the FFF following an audit commissioned by the French sports ministry.
“Considering his conduct towards women, his public comments and the governance failings of the FFF, Mr Le Graet no longer has the necessary legitimacy to run and represent French football,” the report stated.
Souid accused Le Graet of making undesirable advances in an interview to L’Equipe and radio station RMC in January.
“He very clearly stated to me in his condominium that if I wished him to assist me, I needed to let him have his approach with me,” said Souid.
Her testimony to the inspectors carrying out the audit of the federation led to Le Graet being placed under investigation for sexual and psychological harassment.
Le Graet has denied any wrongdoing and told L’Equipe that he had been “set up”.
On Wednesday Souid responded by telling AFP that she felt she had been “harassed” by Le Graet.
“To hear that my testimony was a set-up, that hurts,” she stated.
“What have I bought to win on this? Apart from risking my profession, my fame.
“Talking about a topic that has damage me and affected my dignity has solely brought on ache and struggling,” added the 37-year-old.
“Noel Le Graet’s behaviour was very inappropriate. What I instructed the inspectors is that I did certainly really feel I used to be being harassed.
“I was harassed. He needs to accept that.”
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