“Zinedine Zidane (51) is France itself.”
The expression of Kylian Mbappe (25, Paris Saint-Germain) was not for nothing. Requests for the resignation of the head of the French Football Association, Noël Le Grae, who recently became a ‘national traitor’ by twisting Zidane, are pouring in. 스포츠토토
French media Le Monde said on the 9th (Korean time), “The political world has demanded the resignation of the president of the French Football Association in Grae, who criticized the French icon (Zidane).”
The beginning was like this. On the 8th, President Grae said in an interview with French broadcaster RMC Sports, “Zidane is going to Brazil? I don’t. Even if Zidane calls me, I won’t answer.”
It was a remark made while announcing the news of an extension of the contract until July 2026 with national team coach Didier Deschamps (55), who recently led France to second place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. It was good to support the current manager, but the level of remarks became a problem. Mbappe immediately said on his SNS, “Zidane is France itself. We must not ignore the legend.” Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who announced his retirement from the national team on the same day, also criticized, saying, “We need respect for players who have given France so much like Zidane.”
Real Madrid, where Zidane had a successful managerial career, also said on the club website, “
The French political world has also been actively involved. Commenting on Real Madrid’s furious reaction, French Sports Minister Amelie Udea-Castella said: “This situation damages France’s national image.” I want you to apologize for that,” he said. French Member of Parliament Stéphane Séjournay called for his resignation, saying, “We demand an apology from President Grae. And now we have to ask ourselves whether he is qualified to lead the football association.”
With this remark, President Grae’s wrongdoings have also come to the surface. He sent sexual text messages to the association’s female staff and tarnished French football’s reputation several times with his clandestine relationship with Qatar. “I don’t know how long we will have to endure insults to French football, such as sexual harassment, financial fair play (FFP) issues and Qatar’s unconditional support. President Grae is a disgrace to French sport and he should resign,” said Fabian Roussel, a French member of parliament. He made a strong statement.
In response to the strong reaction, President Grae withdrew his remarks within a day and publicly apologized to Zidane. “My clumsy remarks caused misunderstanding. I apologize to Zidane and the teams he coached for comments that did not reflect my concerns at all,” he said.
