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French football federation boss target of sexual harassment probe

Noël Le Graët, 81, the head of the French football federation who was this month forced to take leave from his post pending the outcome of an administrative inquiry into his alleged misconduct, has been formally placed under investigation in a judicial probe into his suspected sexual harassment of a football agent.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

The head of the French Football Federation Noël Le Graët has been placed under investigation for sexual harassment, prosecutors told AFP on Tuesday, days after he was suspended from his duties amid an escalating row sparked by derogatory comments he made about French football legend Zinedine Zidane, reports FRANCE 24.

The probe was opened on Monday after football agent Sonia Souid made accusations against Le Graët in an affair that has rocked French football just weeks after the national team, Les Bleus, were beaten by Argentina in the World Cup final.

Le Graët, who has previously denied allegations of sexual harassment during an audit commissioned by the sports ministry, last week "took a step back" from his duties, with Philippe Diallo acting as interim head of the French Football Federation (FFF).

Le Graët was not immediately available for comment on Tuesday. 

Read more of this report from FRANCE 24.