PARIS (AP) — French soccer federation president Noël Le Graët is beneath investigation for “sexual harassment” and “ethical harassment,” the Paris prosecutor’s workplace stated Tuesday.
In a message to The Related Press, the prosecutor’s workplace stated 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 in opposition to people.
The investigation was launched after sports activities agent Sonia Souid accused Le Graët of improper conduct over a number of years, saying he solely was taken with her sexually. Souid stated in an interview with L’Equipe sports activities each day that Le Graët repeatedly tried to strategy her from 2013-17.
The 81-year-old Le Graët agreed final week to step again from his duties as president of the federation following an emergency govt committee assembly into his habits.
Le Graët 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 Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.
Le Graët, who has additionally been criticized this month for a perceived disrespect towards France soccer nice Zinédine Zidane, has agreed to step away from his position till the audit’s findings have been totally reviewed by the chief committee, seemingly by the tip of January. Till then, he’s being changed in an interim position by federation vp Philippe Diallo.
Oudéa-Castéra ordered an investigation into the federation in September after the physique stated it could file a defamation lawsuit in opposition to So Foot journal, which reported that Le Graët allegedly harassed a number of feminine workers.
The French journal printed a six-page investigation quoting nameless former and present workers, and inappropriate textual content messages that Le Graët allegedly despatched to the ladies.
Le Graët was re-elected to a four-year time period final March. He’s at present a candidate for an additional four-year time period on the FIFA Council, the worldwide soccer physique’s decision-making committee.
Souid, who stated she first met Le Graët in 2013, instructed L’Equipe that he texted her to ask her out or inform her he missed her. Souid stated 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 chunk of sweet,” Souid stated.
Souid stated she was damage by Le Graët’s angle and that she considered ending her profession as an agent. Requested whether or not Le Graët helped her professionally in some unspecified time in the future, Souid stated he helped her discover the telephone variety of coach Corinne Diacre and that he tried to assist her with enterprise class aircraft tickets for France participant Amandine Henry.