It is often said that puns are a sign of good health. If this is the case, Noël Le Graët is doing very well at the start of 2023. “I am here, but not tired”, he interrupts a journalist referring to his succession. This Saturday, January 7 at noon, the Breton Menhir displays the smiles of those who take their revenge.
Two hours earlier, Didier Deschamps announced at the podium of the General Assembly of the FFF that he was going to re-enlist for four years. This decision raised loud applause under the knowing gaze of the 81-year-old patriarch, well aware of having put the church back in the middle of the village. This duration was not the one desired by the president of the FFF – he preferred two years – but how not to take advantage of such satisfaction?
Two months ago, this scene of joy seemed as credible as a strike from Randal Kolo Muani on the verge of offering a third star in the World Cup final. And yet. “It has not been easy every day in recent months, but the house is well kept”, greeted the president of the LFP and member of the executive committee, Vincent Labrune.
The audit of the ministry on its agenda from Tuesday
How long will this state of grace last? Impossible to say but, in the corridors of the Méridien Étoile hotel (17th arrondissement of Paris), there is no more frying on the line. “This World Cup saved him”, slips, all happy, a leader from the south of France. Former coach Joël Muller concedes: “The president has made sure to accelerate the movement in the last 48 hours. It was important for him to bring this very good news. »
With this extension, “NLG” has pulled the perfect shot out of its hat to charm its constituents and close ranks. Among other controversies, the man is accused of sexual harassment by several former employees – facts which he denies – and finds himself in latent conflict with the Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.
This Tuesday, he will again be called upon to respond to the inspectors as part of the audit commissioned by the government. Internal management, functioning of the federation, protection of minor license holders against the risk of sexual assault… The conclusions of this investigation should be published in February.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen him so moved”
In the meantime, it’s a boss with surprisingly trembling vocal cords who addressed his guests. “I had a bit of turbulence, I received messages, phone calls. I don’t know how to tell you this but I love you, ”he said. “In principle, it’s not someone who is sentimental, it’s not the most pleasant. This is the first time that I see him so moved. And it marked me when he closed his microphones, swears David Blattes, president of the district of Hérault. To me, that means something.” What ? “It’s only my interpretation but we can see that the handover is in progress. »
During his triumphant re-election in March 2021, ten years after his debut, Le Graët explained that he wanted to complete his mandate while working to find a “successor”. With this in mind, the presence of Didier Deschamps until 2026 could help him pass the baton at the end of 2024, said the person concerned. “The four-year contract is useful because it will surely allow the person who will follow me and discuss with Didier to spend some time so that the hand is not shaky. »
Until then, in any case, there is no question of denying its principles or polishing its positions. Noël Le Graët did not have a word for its general manager Florence Hardouin, with whom relations are icy. But he recalled how ‘Qatar bashing’ had annoyed him, once again siding with Fifa boss Gianni Infantino.