After facing backlash, FFF president Noël Le Graët apologized for comments about legend Zinedine Zidane. This is what happened
Le Graët’s comments about Zidane had attracted the anger of players, politicians and the Spanish club. Zidane was part of the World Cup winning team of France in 1998. He has also been a national icon for a long time.
This comes as the former Real Madrid coach was one of the favourites to take over the reins of the French football team if Didier Deschamps steps down. After the French team ended their World Cup 2022 campaign as a runner up, the contract of their present manager, Deschamps, was extended.
Recently, Le Graët was asked by a media outlet whether Zidane would manage Brazil’s team instead. He said that he doesn’t give a damn, he can go wherever he wants.
He also said that he would not even pick up the phone if Zidane had called him. It had led to backlash and now, an apology.
In a statement, which has been reported by L’Équipe, Le Graët said that he would like to present his personal apologies for these remarks which absolutely do not reflect his thoughts, nor his consideration for the player he was and the coach he has become. He admitted that he made awkward remarks which created a misunderstanding. Zidane knows the immense esteem he has for him, like all French people.
After Le Graët’s interview was aired, Kylian Mbappé said on Twitter, “Zidane is France, we don’t disrespect the legend like that.”
On Twitter, France’s minister for sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra said, “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.”
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