French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet has apologized for his inappropriate remarks towards Zinedine Zidane.
The head of the FFF has indiscriminately rejected the opportunity to offer the post of national coach to the former Real Madrid captain, for which he has come under fire.
The name of the national coach has been in doubt since the end of the World Cup in Qatar, when Didier Deschamps’ contract expired. On Saturday he finally extended his contract with FFF through WC 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
“Zinedine Zidane? I wouldn’t have even answered his phone. What would I say to him? “Hi, you can look for another club without worries, I just agree with Didier?” Le Graet allegedly told the AFP agency.
He also controversially responded to media reports of Zidane’s possible presence on the Brazilian national team bench:
“I’d be surprised if that happens. He can go to any club, he can choose any club in Europe, he can even be a big club. But the national team is unimaginable in my opinion.”
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The president of the FFF also received criticism from Kylian Mbappé for these words, the national team scorer called his speech disrespectful.
“Zidane is France, we can’t disrespect a player like that,” the 2018 world champion and hat-trick in the World Cup final in Qatar said on Twitter.
French sports minister Amelie Oudeová-Casterová and the management of Real Madrid, where Zidane worked during his playing career, later joined the criticism.
Eighty-one-year-old Le Graet was issued an immediate apology.
“I would like to apologize for my remarks, which in no way express my views and the greatness of Zidane’s playing and coaching career,” the FFF president replied.
He then transferred part of the blame to RMC Sport, to whom he gave an interview:
‘I shouldn’t have done that. They tried to cause controversy by pitting Didier and Zinedine Zidane, two giants of French football, against each other. However, I also admit to making inappropriate comments which were mispronounced.’
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Zidane won the WC 1998 and EC 2000 titles with France. In 2006, “Les Bleus” fought again for the World Cup final, but this time it was not enough for Italy, who lost 3:5 at the penalty kicks after a 1:1 draw in regular playing time and extensions.
Last year, Zidane left Real Madrid as manager, having led them to two La Liga titles and three consecutive Champions League victories.
