January 29 – FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne had a public spat with the head of the French federation over who to back at the election next month, according to local reports.
Champagne was meeting Noel Le Graet in a restaurant to try and gain his vote but discovered his French compatriot was supporting Gianni Infantino, Europe’s main candidate.
Champagne said that after he told Le Graet he would make this known at the highest political level, Le Graet stood up, hurled a series of expletives at him, threw money down for the bill and stormed out of the bistro in the centre of Paris.
Champagne told Reuters: “I am confirming that is exactly what happened as reported in the French media today. It happened, people saw it happen.”
Le Graet, who was not immediately available to comment, reportedly faces opposition from the French League, clubs and players for his decision to support Infantino. Following the row, Le Graet sent an email to members of the executive committee of the French FA informing them of his intention to back Infantino, according to federation sources.
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