Former president of the French Football Federation (FFF), Noel Le Graet, resigned last year following a sexual harassment scandal. The appalling conduct of this leader has been brought to light, accompanied by shocking revelations about the culture of harassment that has persisted within this organization for many years.
The public allegations
At the outset of 2023, the French Football Federation (FFF) made the decision to dismiss its President, Noel Le Graet, and General Director, Florence Hardouin, citing “management and operational failures” within the realm of football governance. Additionally, Mr. Le Graet faced allegations of sexual harassment involving Sonia Souid, a football representative.
French magazine So Foot published a series of text messages purportedly sent by the 81-year-old leader to female colleagues, containing contents such as: “I prefer blondes, if you do too…” “Join me for dinner tonight.” “You have beautiful curves, I’ll put you in my bed.”
Sonia Souid emerged as one of the women publicly speaking out in the media to accuse the former FFF president of misconduct. Over a prolonged period from 2013 to 2017, Souid endured harassment but refrained from lodging complaints, fearing repercussions on her career. However, upon realizing she was not the sole victim of Le Graet’s actions, Souid stepped forward to accuse the leader.
Speaking to France Info, she expressed her frustration, stating that despite numerous accusations, her former boss had never apologized. “Did he ever consider the victims? No, he always flatly denied,” Souid expressed indignantly.
Throughout the investigation, Le Graet’s legal counsel also worked to refute these allegations. Faced with suspicion and the risk of career and reputational damage, Souid underwent considerable anguish.
Sonia Souid recounted in detail a dinner she and Brigitte Henriques (then head of the French Olympic Committee) were invited to by the FFF president. However, Henriques ultimately did not attend, leaving Souid to entertain the company of her senior boss alone. While Souid hoped to foster business relations with Le Graet to promote women’s football, his sole interest seemed to be in drinking with her.
She recalled, “I arrived at his home in Paris, saw two glasses of wine already set in the living room. Then, he took off his suit jacket, unbuttoned his shirt collar, reclined on the sofa, spread his legs, and caressed his lower abdomen.” According to Souid, these were “unusual gestures in a professional meeting.” She felt humiliated and deeply wounded by the president’s lack of respect.
Souid clarified that Le Graet never physically touched her or used coercive force, but the verbal harassment persisted for years. The frequent calls and repeated dinner invitations were documented by Souid since 2017. Through audio recordings she disclosed, Le Graet’s inebriated voice could be heard saying, “Sonia, I’m on my third bottle, and I’m waiting for you to have the fourth.”
Not only Souid but also former General Director Florence Hardouin, who was dismissed alongside Le Graet, accused him of sexual harassment. However, neither she nor her legal team could substantiate these allegations in court.
The prevalence of negative culture within FFF community
Amid a barrage of allegations directed towards Le Graet, a former employee of FFF also disclosed to Ouest-France about the pervasive and oppressive atmosphere existing within the organization for many years. She and several colleagues had received numerous derogatory remarks and gestures. This individual even asserted that it was a collective sentiment rather than stemming from isolated individuals.
“For many years, sexual harassment has been a cultural norm at FFF. Men behave patriarchally, making highly inappropriate remarks towards women, exhibiting a sense of self-importance above all, and mutually protecting each other. FFF is a corrupt organization,” Marie, a former FFF employee, shared.
Since September 2022, when an investigation published by So Foot magazine exposed scandals within France’s wealthiest football association, some employees and former staff have anonymously accused the organization of fostering a culture of sexual harassment. This led to a sexual harassment investigation opened by the Paris prosecutor’s office against president Le Graet in January 2023.
Marie continued, “Over the years, society has progressed on these issues, but I feel FFF remains stuck in the mold of the 1970s, where women were treated as objects. For a long time, being a woman and working at FFF meant having no say in decisions, being beautiful, and keeping silent. It’s like a privilege.”
Marie asserted that this has been a prolonged issue involving many individuals, from directors, staff, to committee members. She recounted instances of being referred to as “my little lover” or being judged based on her attire. Some even asked, “Did you put on lipstick to please me?” Such behaviors and unrelated questions regarding work occurred as commonplace, without condemnation or reprimand. She also accused a former official of placing his hand on her buttocks within the FFF premises.
“At that moment, my instinct was to foolishly smile. I didn’t know why… There were many people around. I was young, and I didn’t know how to react. I couldn’t do anything to them,” Marie shared.
In addition to misconduct towards women, FFF is also accused of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. In So Foot magazine, former referee Nicolas Pottier, who once oversaw amateur referees at FFF, accused the organization in February 2023 of sexual harassment and ethical misconduct. He claimed to have paid money to be accepted as openly gay. Pottier asserted that this was a “murky, erroneous, and outdated system.”
Despite resigning and closing all scandals, Le Graet continues to operate in the football world. He is currently working for FIFA, an organization headed by his close friend Gianni Infantino. He has been tasked with managing coach training and technical staff for some football associations in Africa.