French Football Federation President apologized for his statement about Zidane

Noel Le Graet’s statement

Zidane was one of the front-runners to succeed Didier Deschamps as head coach, but after guiding France to the World Cup final, where they fell to Argentina in Qatar last month, his contract was extended. In addition to leading Real, Zidane played for the LaLiga team for five seasons, winning both the championship and the Champions League.

Noel Le Graet

However, Le Graet had responded in the negative when asked if Zidane, a national hero and World Cup champion with France in 1998, would manage the Brazilian national team, Noel Le Graet said:

"Zidane to Brazil? I don't care; let him go wherever he wants. Did Zidane try to contact me? Of course not; I wouldn't have even picked up the phone. [You can] make a special show for him to find a club or a national team."

Many people criticize Noel Le Graet’s statement

After Le Greet's remarks were broadcast, one of the first to express his disgust was France star Kylian Mbappe.

"Zidane is France; we don't disrespect the legend like that," Mbappe said on Twitter.

Mbappe's tweet

In an attempt to support their former coach, Real Madrid issued a formal statement in which they charged Le Graet with disrespect.

"Real Madrid C. F. laments the unfortunate comments made by the president of the French Football Federation, Nöel Le Graët, regarding Zinedine Zidane, one of the world's biggest sporting legends.

These remarks show a lack of respect for one of the most admired figures by football fans around the world and our club is awaiting an immediate correction. Zinedine Zidane, World and European champion representing his country, amongst many other honours, he embodies the values of the sport and has proven this throughout his professional career as a player and as a coach.

Zinedine Zidane, world and European champion representing his country, amongst many other honours, he embodies the values of the sport and has proven this throughout his professional career as a player and as a coach.

The statements by the president of the French Football Federation are inappropriate for someone holding such representation and are in themselves unsuitable, like those he also made about our captain Karim Benzema, current Ballon d'Or, Nations League champion with France in 2021 and winner of five Champions Leagues, amongst many other honours."

Real Madrid's official announcement

Amelie Oudea-Castera, France's Minister for Sports, was one of many politicians who responded to Le Graet's remarks, claiming that the head of the nation's "largest athletic association" had crossed a limit.

"Yet more out-of-touch comments and on top of that a shameful lack of respect, which hurts us all, towards a legend of football and sport."- she shared.

Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade, a lawmaker in France, has also called for Le Graet to apologize, writing on Twitter: "Zidane is a monument of French football and sport. A personality loved by all French people... Our football deserves better than that."

Noel Le Graet’s  apology

Following widespread criticism, the president of the French Football Federation was forced to issue an apology.

"I would like to present my personal apologies for these remarks, which absolutely do not reflect my thoughts or my consideration for the player he was or the coach he has become. I admit that I made awkward remarks that created a misunderstanding. Zidane knows the immense esteem I have for him, like all French people."

Le Grat was accused of treating federation employees unfairly, which damaged France's World Cup preparations. The allegations were refuted by Le Grat, and the FFF filed a lawsuit against the publication So Foot. Le Grat has been called to a hearing on Tuesday because the government has begun an audit of the federation. Le Grat, a former socialist mayor of the small Brittany town of Guingamp, later served as club president and guided the development of the neighborhood football team into a powerhouse. His current term as president of the federation, which began in 2011, is set to end in 2024.