November 4 – Paris prosecutors have dropped sexual harassment charges against Noël Le Graët, the long-time head of the French Football Federation, who stepped down in February last year following a damning report commissioned by the sports ministry.
Le Graët, now 82, quit as FFF chief after 11 years in charge following an audit that concluded he was no longer fit to administer and represent the sport in France and highlighted what it termed “the inappropriate behaviour of Mr Le Graet towards women”.
At the time, the Paris public prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into moral and sexual harassment which has now been dropped due to insufficient evidence.
“I welcome this decision, which recognises my client’s probity,” said Le Graet’s lawyer Thierry Marembert. “The in-depth criminal investigation was able to verify that none of the accusations that had been hastily levelled against him held water.”
Le Graët told Le Monde of his “great relief” at the outcome.
“There’s still a bit of anger deep inside me,” he said. “I’m not at the stage of forgiveness, but I’m happy to have emerged from this affair with my head held high and to have restored a little of my honour.”
In a separate interview with l’Equipe, he added: “I lived through a nightmare, but being cleared in this affair brings some comfort.”
To add salt to Le Graet wounds, after he resigned he succumbed to the inevitable by withdrawing his candidacy for re-election to the all-powerful FIFA Council and was replaced by Portugal’s boss Fernando Gomes.
Meanwhile, a libel case launched by Le Graët against then Minister of Sport Amelie Oudea-Castera, accusing her of ‘lying’ continues and is due to be heard on December 3-4.
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