After a turbulent season, the French Football Federation convenes Saturday morning its first General Assembly since the resignation of Noël Le Graët. This meeting is to confirm Philippe Diallo as president until 2024. The 200 elected representatives of French football - amateur and professional - are indeed invited to vote on the identity of the leader to complete the current mandate.

After eleven years at the helm of the Federation, Le Graët was forced to resign at the end of February after an accumulation of controversies and accusations. Not a reason not to invite him to this GA. His presence was confirmed - and justified - by Diallo in an interview with L'Equipeon Friday.

"Justice will say what it is"

"When he resigned, he asked me to be able to continue coming to the Federation on an ad hoc basis. I did not see any difficulty, explains the (for now) interim leader. It is natural and legitimate that the presidents who helped forge this house should always be involved in these meetings. »

Never mind the liabilities of the Breton, therefore. "His resignation was bound to be painful for him. Compared to what he brought to French football, there is a certain elegance to have, even believes Philippe Diallo. Concerning him, there are criticisms, a number of complaints filed. Justice will say what it is. In the meantime, in respect of the presumption of innocence, we must respect someone who has contributed to the influence of the FFF for years. »



During this AGM, Philippe Diallo will therefore seek the confidence of elected officials to continue his action until the elective Assembly at the end of 2024. A man of shadows and files, appreciated for his discretion as for his listening, this former boss of the union of professional clubs (59 years old) has a high rating to symbolize the desired appeasement.

Even if some opponents tried, in early spring, to gather enough elected officials to overthrow the current executive committee of the "3F", the confirmation of Diallo Saturday seems acquired in the eyes of all football players interviewed in recent weeks.

Always shaking

Even if calm has gradually returned, the tremors are never far away, like the historic sling of the players of the France team that led to the replacement of coach Corinne Diacre by Hervé Renard.

On Thursday, other accusations of "moral and sexual harassment" issued in the magazine So Foot by former referee Nicolas Pottier, currently federal coordinator of amateur refereeing, have again darkened the horizon. The FFF immediately launched an internal investigation into the federal management of arbitration.

  • Football
  • FFF
  • Noël le Graët
  • Philippe Diallo
  • Sport