The president of the French Football Federation Noël Le Graët recognizes “clumsy remarks which created a misunderstanding” concerning Zinedine Zidane, to whom he wishes to “present (his) personal apologies”, he said in a statement on Monday at AFP.
“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”, affirms the boss of French football, the day after declarations controversies relating to the former N.10 of the Blues and ex-coach of Real Madrid.
“I have nothing to shake”
Invited on Sunday on RMC, Le Graët was casual when asked about Zidane, presented in the press as a candidate for the post of coach of the Blues occupied by Didier Deschamps, finally extended the day before until 2026.
“I wouldn’t even have taken him on the phone, he let go. To tell him what? ‘Hello sir, don’t worry, look for another club, I just agreed with Didier’? “. Asked about Brazil’s supposed interest in Zidane, he added: “I don’t care, he can go wherever he wants, in one club, he would have as many as he wants in Europe, a big club”.
Its media release, unplanned by the Federation, caused a reaction even in the government. As of Sunday, the Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castera denounced “statements again above ground with the added bonus this time of a shameful lack of respect” and demanded an apology.
“I gave an interview to RMC that I shouldn’t have given because he was looking for controversy by opposing Didier to Zinedine Zidane, two monuments of French football. I admit having made clumsy remarks which created a misunderstanding”, reacted Le Graët in his statement sent to AFP. “Zinedine Zidane knows the immense esteem I have for him, like all French people,” he added.