Noël Le Graët has had a tumultuous week in France after saying he “couldn’t care less” about Zinédine Zidane’s future as a coach. The 81-year-old soccer govt has beforehand confronted claims of sexual harassment and the French federation is the goal of an investigation ordered by Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.

The agent, 37-year-old Sonia Souid, mentioned in an interview with L’Equipe sports activities each day that Le Graët repeatedly tried to method her from 2013-17.

She mentioned that whereas she needed to develop a enterprise relationship with Le Graët to advertise ladies’s soccer, he was extra keen on leaving messages on her voicemail late within the night to ask her to drink champagne.

France’s sports activities minister ordered an investigation into the federation in September after the physique mentioned it could file a defamation lawsuit towards So Foot journal, which reported that Le Graët allegedly harassed a number of feminine staff.

The French journal revealed a six-page investigation quoting nameless former and present staff, and inappropriate textual content messages that Le Graët allegedly despatched to the ladies. So Foot additionally described an alleged poisonous tradition on the federation.

Souid, who mentioned she first met Le Graët in 2013, additionally 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 never looked at me like an agent but like a piece of candy,” Souid mentioned.

Souid mentioned she was damage by Le Graët’s perspective and that she thought of ending her profession as an agent. Asked whether or not Le Graët helped her professionally sooner or later, Souid mentioned 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.

In addition to his position on the French soccer federation, Le Graët additionally has been a member of the FIFA Council since being appointed by UEFA in May 2019. The place pays $250,000 yearly.

Le Graët is at the moment a candidate for one more four-year time period on FIFA’s ruling committee. He is being challenged for the seat by Portuguese soccer federation president Fernando Gomes. The election is ready for April 5, when UEFA member nations meet in Lisbon.

Le Graët’s candidacy should go a FIFA-run eligibility and integrity verify. He can stand for election regardless of UEFA imposing an age restrict of 70 for candidates to its personal govt committee.