French football president apologizes to Zinedine Zidane for his awkward remarks

Noel Le Graet, president of the France Football Federation (FFF), issued an apology to Zinedine Zidane on Monday following backlash from players, legislators, and even the Spanish club over his remarks on the former Real Madrid coach.

Zidane was one of the front-runners to succeed Didier Deschamps as head coach, but after guiding France to the World Cup final, where they fell to Argentina in Qatar last month, his contract was extended.

Le Graet had said to RMC:

“I don’t give a damn, he can go anywhere he wants”, in response to the question of whether Zidane, a national hero and World Cup champion with France in 1998, would now manage the Brazilian national team, instead.

Zidane is a monument of French football: Pieyre-Alexandre Anglad

Le Graet said that if Zidane called, he wouldn’t even pick up the phone, which sparked outrage and led to his eventual apology.

“I would like to present my personal apologies for these remarks which absolutely do not reflect my thoughts, nor my consideration for the player he was and the coach he has become. I admit that I made awkward remarks which created a misunderstanding. Zidane knows the immense esteem I have for him, like all French people.” Le Graet said in a statement reported by L’Equipe.

Le Graet had claimed on Sunday that Zidane was a candidate and had a lot of support, but had little chance of succeeding Deschamps.

“Who can make serious reproaches to Deschamps? Nobody… If Zidane tried to contact me? Certainly not, I wouldn’t even pick up the phone,” he had said.

When he was in command of Real Madrid, Zidane became the first coach to win the Champions League three years in a row. The 50-year-old, who had an illustrious playing career and won the 2000 European Championship with France, is currently jobless after quitting his position with the Spanish club last year.

French politician Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade had also demanded an apology from Le Graet, saying on Twitter:

“Zidane is a monument of French football and sport. A personality loved by all French people… Our football deserves better than that.”