Le Graët must go, says FFF board member ahead of crucial meeting

February 22 – Under-fire French football chief Noel Le Graet has come under further pressure to resign permanently following an intervention by a high-profile colleague within the French federation (FFF).

The veteran Le Graet (pictured right) , who  is a member of FIFA’s all-powerful Council, agreed recently to step back from his duties at the FFF pending the results of an audit into his conduct, including alleged sexual abuse.

The results of that audit has now been published saying Le Graet “no longer has the necessary legitimacy to manage and represent French football.”

Yet he has still not left while his position within FIFA’s inner circle remains unchanged with, so far, no direct intervention by the FIFA hierarchy.

Next Tuesday, the French Football Federation Executive Committee will convene and it is expected that several board members will call for Le Graet’s resignation.

But in an interview with l’Equipe, France’s Amateur Football League president and FFF exco member Vincent Nolorgues jumped the gun.

“At some point, even if we can judge that his behaviour is due to age and perhaps not having followed the evolution of society, we must protect the institution,” Nolorgues said of the 81-year-old veteran.

“Noël Le Graët must resign.”

“If Noël Le Graët does not leave, we will arrive in an even worse period of turbulence. I hope he will have the wisdom not to bring chaos.”

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