November 30, 2023
French soccer president focused by sexual harassment probe

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PARIS (AP) — French soccer federation president Noel Le Graet is below investigation for “sexual harassment” and “ethical harassment,” the Paris prosecutor’s workplace mentioned Tuesday.

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In a message to The Related Press, the prosecutor’s workplace mentioned the investigation was opened Monday following a report by the Normal Inspectorate of Training, Sport and Analysis. Will probably be carried out by a particular police unit devoted to crimes towards people.

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The investigation was launched after sports activities agent Sonia Souid accused Le Graet of improper conduct over a number of years, saying he solely was concerned about her sexually. Souid mentioned in an interview with L’Equipe sports activities every day that Le Graet repeatedly tried to method her from 2013-17.

The 81-year-old Le Graet agreed final week to step again from his duties as president of the federation following an emergency govt committee assembly into his conduct.

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Le Graet has confronted a number of claims of sexual harassment and the soccer federation is the goal of an investigation ordered by French Sports activities Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera.

Le Graet, who has additionally been criticized this month for a perceived disrespect towards France soccer nice Zinedine Zidane, has agreed to step away from his function till the audit’s findings have been totally reviewed by the manager committee, probably by the tip of January. Till then, he’s being changed in an interim function by federation vp Philippe Diallo.

Oudea-Castera ordered an investigation into the federation in September after the physique mentioned it might file a defamation lawsuit towards So Foot journal, which reported that Le Graet allegedly harassed a number of feminine workers.

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The French journal revealed a six-page investigation quoting nameless former and present workers, and inappropriate textual content messages that Le Graet allegedly despatched to the ladies.

Le Graet was re-elected to a four-year time period final March. He’s at the moment a candidate for an additional four-year time period on the FIFA Council, the worldwide soccer physique’s decision-making committee.

Souid, who mentioned she first met Le Graet in 2013, instructed L’Equipe that he texted her to ask her out or inform her he missed her. Souid mentioned he by no means went too far verbally however made clear she ought to have intercourse with him to maneuver her concepts ahead.

“He by no means checked out me like an agent however like a bit of sweet,” Souid mentioned.

Souid mentioned she was harm by Le Graet’s angle and that she thought of ending her profession as an agent. Requested whether or not Le Graet helped her professionally sooner or later, Souid mentioned he helped her discover the cellphone variety of coach Corinne Diacre and that he tried to assist her with enterprise class airplane tickets for France participant Amandine Henry.

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