Noël Le Graët, President of the French Football Federation, has apologised for comments made about Zinedine Zidane which have prompted strong criticism from, among others, France’s iconic forward Kylian Mbappe, the French Minister of Sport and Real Madrid.
Zidane, a French World Cup winner in 1998, who has since become the first coach to win the Champions League three times in a row with Real Madrid, was one of the favourites to take charge if Didier Deschamps had stepped down as France head coach after the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
What Did Le Graët Say About Zidane
Speaking about Zidane after confirmation that Deschamps would continue as head coach at least until 2026, Le Graët told RMC: “I would be surprised if he went there (to Brazil).
“But he does what he wants, that’s none of my business. Would it hurt my heart for him to go there?
“Me, I have nothing to shake. He can go where he wants!
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“He can go where he wants, in a big club, a selection, I hardly believe it as far as he is concerned.
“If Zidane tried to reach me? Certainly not, I wouldn’t even have taken him on the phone.”
He was also reported as saying: “Who can make serious reproaches to Deschamps? Nobody.
“He [Zidane] does what he wants; it’s none of my business. I’ve never met him, we’ve never considered parting with Didier.”
Le Graët Apologizes
Le Graët has now apologised, saying: “These awkward remarks created a misunderstanding.
“I would like to present my personal apologies for these remarks which absolutely do not reflect my thoughts, nor my consideration for the player he was and the coach he has become.”
Mbappé was one of the first to voice his disapproval after Le Graët’s comments were aired. He tweeted: “Zidane is France, we don’t disrespect the legend like that.”
The French Sports Minister, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, also reacted. She tweeted, ominously: “Yet more out of touch comments and on top of that a shameful lack of respect, which offends us all, to a legend of football and sport.”
Déclarations à nouveau hors sol avec en prime cette fois un manque de respect honteux, qui nous heurte tous, à une légende du foot et du sport : un “président” de la première fédération sportive de France ne devrait pas dire ça.
Des excuses pour ce mot de trop sur Z.Zidane svp. https://t.co/FUdE76nBz0— Amélie Oudéa-Castéra (@AOC1978) January 8, 2023
She added: “A ‘President’ of the first sports federation in France should not say that.
“Apologies for this too much word about Z.Zidane please.”
Meanwhile, a Real Madrid statement added: “Real regrets these unfortunate statements against one of the greatest legends of sport. It’s a lack of respect.”
COMMENTS
I wonder how much Zidane’s Arabic descent figured in Le Graet’s comment. Some old white men just can’t imagine certain ethnic groups helming their national team.
Very true. Probably explains why he could speak about Zidane in such manner