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Noel Le Graet, head of the French Football Federation, resigns after an investigation into sexual harassment

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Noel Le Graet, the head of the French Football Federation, resigns after an investigation into sexual harassment.

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Noel Le Graet, the head of the French Football Federation (FFF), attends a Paris press conference in 2016. Copyright Photo by AP/Christophe Ena

By: AP

Noel Le Graet, the president of the French Football Federation, resigned on Tuesday after a government-led audit determined that he was no longer qualified to lead due to his behavior toward women and management style.

Le Graet, 81, is being investigated by the court for alleged sexual harassment and moral harassment. He had already stepped down from his duties while the executive committee of the federation reviewed the audit findings.

According to a statement by the federation, he submitted his resignation during a meeting of the executive committee on Tuesday.

The statement said that Le Graet will be replaced by Philippe Diallo, vice president of the company, on an interim basis. This will last until June 2023.

Amelie Oudea-Castera, the French Minister of Sports, ordered an audit in September last year after Le Graet was criticized heavily.

The final report, based upon more than 100 interviews, and the analysis of different documents, concluded that Le Graet acted inappropriately towards women, and also highlighted other dysfunctions within the federation. It also noted that the federation’s policy against gender-based violence and sexual assault is “neither efficient nor effective.”

The federation praised Le Graet for his “remarkable sports and economic results” since he became the head of the soccer organization in 2011. It reiterated that it was “strongly committed against gender-based violence and sexual assault” and tried to distance itself from this audit.

Le Graet had a good relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and he will still continue to work at the FIFA office in Paris despite his resignation.

Infantino appointed Le Graet as his personal delegate in January 2022 to FIFA’s Paris satellite office, which includes liaising and member federations from Europe and Africa.

Infantino, who announced the appointment last year, said that the French Football Federation was doing a remarkable work. “I often have the chance to speak with Noel Le Graet in order to better understand how this example can be used to support football development projects around the world.”

Le Graet also wants to keep his EUR235,000 per year seat on the FIFA ruling council, which is chosen by UEFA members.

Le Graet, despite the controversy surrounding France’s soccer body, has not publicly withdrawn from his candidacy for a vote on 5 April at the UEFA Congress, Lisbon, Portugal. Fernando Gomes is his scheduled opponent, a UEFA Vice President from Portugal.

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Carlos Sainz returns on farewell to Ferrari and is candid about Lewis Hamilton

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Carlos Sainz returns on farewell to Ferrari and è candid about Lewis Hamilton

During an interview given to the microphones of the Spanish newspaper “As”, Carlos Sainz è returned to talk about his farewell to Ferrari to make way for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton starting in 2025.

“I have no negative words toward Ferrari, and I don&#39t think they have any negative feelings toward me either. It’s a relationship that hasn’t been broken because we’re not happy with each other, but because of a circumstantial issue. I remain convinced that if Hamilton had not wanted to end his career at Ferrari, I would have renewed. To a seven-time world champion, però è impossible to say no and I understand the team&#39s choice to confirm Charles and not me” began the Spanish driver.

“When I arrived at Ferrari, the team was going through a very difficult time. In 2020 they were far behind the best. I am very proud of the progress this team has made thanks in part to my work. These have been seasons that have allowed me to win my first F1 races, get my first pole positions and win several podiums. I am happy to have come to a historic team and to have had the pleasure of driving Ferrari over these years” continued the’former McLaren.

“Charles è one of the fastest drivers I have ever faced, especially on a dry lap. Between us the difference è always been minimal. The only problems came from always going to the track together, one after the other, but that è was the advantage of Ferrari with a very balanced pair of drivers” added the Spanish number 55.

“My next adventure will be at Williams, where I will try to do something similar to what I did in Ferrari and McLaren. I want to help the team improve moving forward. I have the experience and the good energy to help them progress. I have been good in the past and my next goal è to bring the stable to the top 10. If we do well in the next two years, I would like to be able to bet on Williams again in the future” concluded Carlos Sainz.

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Jannik Sinner’s new appointment exalts Giovanni Malagò

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Jannik Sinner’s new post exalts John Malagò

CONI President Giovanni Malagò spoke at the Allianz Tower in Milan on the sidelines of an event with Olympic and Paralympic athletes who participated in the Paris Games. During his speech, the Rome native wanted to dwell on the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and the role that Jannik Sinner will play, who will be one of the volunteers contributing to the event’s organization.

“The origins of Jannik Sinner, who è is from South Tyrol, suggest that he could have become the world number one in skiing. This we can never know, but we certainly know that he è become the number one in tennis” began the CONI president.

“Volunteers are crucial to the Olympics. Without them such an event would not be economically sustainable. Sinner will be the No. 1 volunteer in Milan-Cortina. It’s really a lot of stuff” added Giovanni Malagò.

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Joao Fonseca puts Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in his sights

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Joao Fonseca does not hide ambition

During an interview given to the microphones of “CLAY”, the promising Joao Fonseca, among other topics, revealed what are his main goals in the short and long term.

“I see the rivalryà that Alcaraz and Sinner have and è to that level I want to get. Sometimes I think I should aim for top-100 or top-50, but no, I want to set my targets on them. I want to be like Carlos and Jannik, win Slams and other big tournaments” began the Brazilian tennis player.

“We are living the present with calm and serenity; reflecting carefully on every aspect of my game. This è a long-term career and we are waiting for the right moment to take the best path for me” added the 18-year-old from Rio de Janeiro.

“I know I will have to deal with the pressure that comes from the high expectations on me. They see me in tournaments, talking about me, but the pressure that I most prefer è the one that my opponents may feel when they face me” he chipped in Joao Fonseca.

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