DIRECT. Tensions Le Graët-Zidane-Mbappé: the former number 10 will not react immediately to the controversy

Like his counterparts Lensois and Rennes, Laurent Blanc, the OL coach and Zidane’s teammate at the 1998 World Cup, was questioned at a press conference about Le Graët’s statements: “We are all unanimous in saying that these are very awkward, to say the least… I saw he apologized… As I say to young people, it’s very easy to apologize but the words stick. Let’s move on to another topic please. I’ll let you discuss it.”

The football world applauded the PSG striker’s response. “Nothing more to say,” wrote Wylan Cyprien in response to Kylian Mbappé’s tweet. Former Parisian Mamadou Sakho had his best ‘clap’ emoji while Mehdi Benatia called the French international ‘crack on and off the pitch’.

If he felt that “everything was summed up by players more important than” him, the Stade Rennes coach was also asked about the day’s controversies. Bruno Genesio deemed Le Graët’s words “inappropriate and disrespectful”. “In front of not only one of the greatest French sportsmen of all time, but also in front of the man. That you never hear criticism of anyone or anything, when he has extraordinary legitimacy as a player and as a coach. He’s unlucky. »

The RC Lens coach was questioned at the press conference about Noël Le Graët’s statements: “The press release obviously surprised me, very surprised. When you are president of the FFF, you have height, a vision. I was surprised by the comments. We have some legends of French sport and French football for whom we have the right to reserve, remember and respect. This is obviously the case for Didier Deschamps and obviously it must be for Zinedine Zidane as well. »

According to Zidane’s entourage, the former number 10 will not react immediately in order not to fuel the controversy.

Eric Borghini was amazed by Le Graët’s drift. Zidane “is an immense champion, one of those Frenchmen who makes our country shine and who gathers all the votes around him, an incredible symbol of our youth. For this I am in total incomprehension of the remarks made by the president “, the executive member of the comex of the FFF indicated to AFP, however satisfied that the Breton” has recovered and has addressed his apologies to Zinedine “.

When asked about RMC, the former sports minister underlined the “awkwardness” of Le Graët, author of contemptuous statements against Zidane, “an icon that unites the French”.

“He was extraordinarily clumsy, it’s unbelievable that a federation president could have made such a mistake, he collects them, pans,” added Roselyne Bachelot.

The latter also specified the powers available or not to Amélie Oudéa-Castéra after such an outing. “It is not the Minister of Sport who appoints the president of the Federation. Luckily there are elections in the federations, recalled Bachelot. He can express his indignation and disapproval of him, which he did, but he cannot dismiss Noël Le Graët. »

Politicians continue to question the position of “NLG” at the helm of the FFF. “We need at least an apology and then we have to ask ourselves if Noël Le Graët is still able to lead the federation,” the general secretary of the Renaissance party, Stéphane Séjourné, launched to the public Senate.

Former Prime Minister Lionel Jospin wrote to L’Equipe to remind that Zinedine Zidane should “be treated with respect”. “I simply want to say that Zinédine Zidane, the immense player who illustrated French sport and the great coach of the club, deserves our admiration,” he reacted after Le Graët’s exit, whose Jospin “n’ ignored by work performed as president of the FFF”.

“He’s underneath everything. The Minister for SMEs believes it is “time to question his future”. When asked about France 2, Olivia Gregoire criticized Le Graët’s lack of respect for Zidane. “Football and our legends deserve better, it doesn’t depend on an FFF president. »

“Mr Le Graët, a little respect for Mr Zidane, please. Where do you think you are, ”the former French international first reacted. In the process, Djibril Cissé once again challenged the president of the FFF: “Get out! “Last episode, a new tweet written following the apology made by the Breton. “Wise decision, Mr. Le Graët. Zizou is untouchable. »

According to Lionel Charbonnier, the FFF president is far from the only problem within the French football governing body.

“So NLG is by no means solely responsible! Since he was SUPPORTED by his constituents! Did each of the voters vote for the good of French football and its future? Or his good and his future? EVIL is MUCH deeper! I’ve been saying this for years ma (hands over ears emoji),” the 1998 world champion tweeted.

Candidate for the 2022 presidential election, Fabien Roussel wrote a long tweet to invite “NLG” to resign. “How long will we have to put up with Noël Le Graët? Suspicion of harassment at the FFF, unconditional support for Qatar, public insult against a monument of French football … Le Graët is the shame of French sport, he must resign. Long live his retirement at 60! »

“I will address the minister a written question asking for his resignation in the next few hours,” tweeted François Piquemal, deputy for the 4th district of Haute-Garonne.

Cédric Fauré, former player of EA Guingamp, has criticized the methods of “NLG”, former president of the Breton club. “Le Graet, already at Guingamp you were a president who had no respect for the players I was a part of and today you lack respect for Zidane but what a shame for French football to have a president like you. Go out and return the keys,” Toulousain attacked on Twitter.

Real Madrid “regrets the FFF president’s unfortunate statements” about their former player and manager, the club said in a statement. After pointing out this “lack of respect”, the Spanish team also criticized Le Graët’s outings on Karim Benzema.

Jordan Bardella denounced Le Graët’s remarks. Mockery, the president of the RN has launched that the number 1 of the FFF has not attempted the month of January without alcohol.

Ironically, Franck Ribéry paid Noël Le Graët, backing Zinedine Zidane.

French basketball player Evan Fournier also reacted to Le Graët’s exit: “What a lack of respect!! How many slides will it take from this mean gentleman to clear the floor? “, tweeted the New York Knicks player.

Aurore Bergé, deputy for Yvelines, spoke to France Inter about the crisis in French football: “Zidane is more important for football, for France and for the French than Noël Le Graët will ever be. The question of his post and of the presidency of the Federation must be posed.

The president has an excellent relationship with Zidane. They swapped again recently during the Ballon d’Or. Noël Le Graët knows exactly what he represents in the history of French football, he explained the FFF president’s camp to L’Equipe. Expressing himself like this, Noël Le Graët wanted to indicate that Zidane has the possibility to go where he wants. That all possibilities are available to him. »

“Noël Le Graët” followed by three “vomit” emojis, Florent Pietrus, a former player of the French basketball team, expressed his disgust at the statements of the president of the FFF.

Firefighters, Djorkaeff, Pokora… Reactions have multiplied since Noël Le Graët’s outburst on French football legend Zinedine Zidane on Sunday evening.

The president of the federation, who has decided to extend Didier Deschamps at the helm of the Blues until 2026, was asked about the fate of Zinedine Zidane, who aspired to the post.

Welcome to the Parisian site to follow the results of the RMC statements of Noël Le Graët, “who doesn’t care” about Zinedine Zidane’s future.