The clumsy statement of the president of the French football federation, Noël Le Graët, about Zinedine Zidane has sparked a lively controversy in recent hours. While Zizou received indisputable support, the first official of the FFF ended up making his mea culpa, apologizing.
And yet announced leaving after the last World Cup, Didier Deschamps was finally entitled to a new contract until 2026. This put an end to rumors of the arrival of Zinedine Zidane.
But last night, the president of the French football federation, Noël Le Graët, made an awkward statement about the 1998 Ballon d’Or. “Zidane in Brazil? I don’t care, he can go where he wants! He can go where he wants, in a club… selection, I hardly believe it as far as he is concerned. If Zidane tried to reach me? Certainly not, I would not even have taken him on the phone”. He said on RMC.
The least we can say is that this statement has sparked a lively controversy in France in recent hours. Several French footballers attacked Le Graët, while showing unquestionable support for “Zizou”.
Mbappé, Ribery Cissé… Everyone supports “Zizou”
It was Kylian Mbappé who made his first reaction to the clumsy statement of the president of the FFF. “Zidane is France. We are not disrespecting the legend like that… “. He wrote on his official twitter account.
Other tweets from some former French internationals who showed their full support for Zidane. We quote in particular that of Franck Ribéry who wrote “You treat me. On the other hand, it will be necessary to think of consulting quickly ”. Or Djibril Cissé who published his photo with the annoyed Blues jersey and wrote on it: “Me when I heard Le Graët’s words”.
That’s not all. Indeed, the Minister of Sports in France, Ameli Oudéa-Castréa, reframed the first manager at the FFF. “Statements again above ground with the added bonus this time of a shameful lack of respect, which hurts us all, to a legend of football and sport. A president of the sports federation of France should not say that. Apologies for this too much word about Zidane please”. She wrote on her twitter account.
Le Graët makes his mea culpa
Faced with the lively controversy, Noël Le Graët ended up giving in to the pressure. Indeed, he made his mea culpa by apologizing to Zinedine Zidane. “I would like to apologize for these remarks which absolutely do not reflect my thoughts, nor my consideration for the player he was and the coach he has become”. he explained.
As for the ex-Real Madrid coach, he made no reaction. According to those close to him, “Zizou” would “not make any hot declarations”.
