The report of the audit commissioned by the Ministry of Sports within the French Football Federation is overwhelming for Noël Le Graët, Florence Hardouin and the entire Comex.
No one should be spared. The conclusions of the general inspection of audit and control of the French Football Federation – investigation wanted and led by the Ministry of Sports – were made on Monday, and communicated to the actors concerned. Namely the president of the FFF Noël Le Graët and the general manager Florence Hardouin, both recently laid off, but also the interim president Philippe Diallo, who was thus able to transmit the part relating to the functioning of the institution to the various members of the executive committee (Comex).
It is this last report, watered down with grievances specifically formulated against Noël Le Graët and Florence Hardouin, that L’Equipe was able to obtain. Pages that do not especially spare the Comex, whose omerta has only legitimized the various abuses observed. “ The comex is identified as a place of findings and consensus; which is undoubtedly one of the consequences of the blocked list ballot which leaves no room for opposition and induces a political strategy which consists in lining up behind the president, head of the list, as soon as the mandates of the members of the executive committee are statutorily linked to that of President “, note the investigators.
« A variable geometry organization “Is thus denounced, with an amplification and acceleration of the abuses observed after the world coronation of the Blues in 2018. “ The mission noted that between the summer of 2018 and the end of 2019, the dysfunctions developed: violent exchanges between its members, a challenge by some of the general manager, a president who allowed the situation to deteriorate in sometimes maintaining an ambiguous position, alternatively favorable to the general manager who reacts with a very authoritarian management. »
“A sexist and violent atmosphere”
The facts of harassment – potentially sexual – are not detailed here but the overall finding is clear: “ the sexist and violent atmosphere, which reigned within the Codir (steering committee, editor’s note) until 2020, is largely confirmed by all the hearings. […] The policy to combat gender-based and sexual violence in the federal network is neither effective nor efficient. […] At the headquarters of the FFF, gender-based and sexual violence is never clearly designated. The fight against gender-based and sexual violence is largely underestimated in federal development policy ».
As for Noël Le Graët, the officials in charge of the investigations underline ” strong signs of weakening, those of the end of a story. […] The president multiplies what some call “slippages”, but which above all illustrate the drift of a solitary power without any internal regulation tool “. Finally, it is specified that the conclusions of said audit ” taking into account the elements collected “will be transmitted to the public prosecutor of Paris” under article 40 of the code of criminal procedure “. The boss of the FFF is already the subject of a procedure against him for moral harassment and sexual harassment.
