The extraordinary executive committee of the French Football Federation (FFF) meeting this Wednesday morning decided to lay off Florence Hardouin, the director general of the body, as a precautionary measure. The main interested party was hospitalized a few hours later following a malaise.
“She suffered from discomfort at home. For months, she has been attacked, and internally too,” said this source, confirming information from the French daily L’Equipe. According to the sports newspaper, the leader (55), “very affected by the turn of events”, felt “severe chest pains” on Wednesday at her home, before a doctor recommended that she undergo examinations at the hospital.
Provisional layoff
Florence Hardouin was suspended on a precautionary basis on Wednesday during an extraordinary meeting of the FFF Executive Committee which also recorded the withdrawal of the controversial president Noël Le Graët after an accumulation of controversies, such as his outspoken remarks -piece targeting Zinédine Zidane or the dissemination of a testimony on his alleged sexist behavior.
After more than eleven years spent at the top of French football, the Breton (81), weakened and under pressure for several days, resolved to step aside after a Comex specially convened to respond to the crisis. which shakes the “3F”. It is now Philippe Diallo, until then vice-president of the FFF, who has the heavy responsibility of acting as president, functions that he will combine with general management.
Bad relationships
Florence Hardouin, with whom Le Graët had relations that had become execrable, was often criticized internally for her strong character and divisive management. His lawyer, Me Romain Vanni, told AFP that he had learned of his layoff “through the press like everyone else”, and had for the time being “no more information to transmit”.
International fencer from 1989 to 1996, Florence Hardouin became vice-world champion with the French epee team in 1991, and then worked in various large companies before joining the FFF in 2008. Initially responsible for development marketing and commercial, she then became deputy general manager in 2011, then general manager in 2013. She has been a member of the UEFA Executive Committee since 2016.