An investigation into psychological harassment and sexual harassment was opened on Monday, following a report of "sexist contempt" targeting the president of the French Football Federation, Noël Le Graët, the Paris public prosecutor's office said on Tuesday.
This alert was issued after Sonia Souid, an agent for several French internationals, gave evidence to auditors from the General Inspectorate for Education, Sport and Research (IGESR), according to the daily newspaper Le Monde.
Last week, Sonia Souid publicly denounced in the daily newspaper L'Equipe and on RMCThe French Football Federation (FFF) president, who has been president of the FFF since 2011, is considered to have behaved in a sexist manner. "He told me face-to-face, in his flat, very clearly, that if I wanted him to help me, I'd have to go to the pot," she said.
Referring to her past professional dealings with the head of French football, she explained that she had had the feeling that "every time, the only thing he was interested in - and I apologise for using vulgar language - was my two breasts and my arse". On 11 January, Noël Le Graët was "withdrawn" from the presidency of the federation by the executive committee.
"At this stage, I don't know what I'm accused of or who is behind it.
When contacted on Saturday, the Ministry of Sport stated that the Minister, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, had been informed of the report, in accordance with procedure, and that she would not be commenting further on the subject.
"I have just been astonished to read an article in the World Le Graët reacted on Saturday in a statement sent to AFP after the report was revealed in the daily newspaper.
At this stage, I know neither the facts of which I am accused nor the people behind them," he said. More generally, I am surprised that information can be divulged even though the provisional report has not yet been sent to me and I have not been able to comment on it.
The investigation has been entrusted to the BRDP.
Texte by Le matin.ch/AFP
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