March 15 – French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera, who is spearheading the organisation of this summer’s Paris Olympics, has been placed under investigation for defamation.
Prosecutors say the investigation resulted from a complaint by former French FA president Noel Le Graet, who quit his post in February 2023 following allegations of harassment despite saying he had done nothing wrong.
Weeks before he stepped down, a French sports ministry audit concluded Le Graet 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”.
Following the audit’s release, Oudea-Castera said in public remarks: “In the beginning, it was paternalism and provocation. But with time and alcohol, it turned into something completely dysfunctional.”
An aide to Oudea-Castera was quoted by Reuters as saying she was at the disposal of the court and had previously responded publicly to the “baseless allegations” against her.
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