Sports minister demands apology
Big Zoff! France’s federation president attacks Zidane
There is thick air in the French football camp! President Noël Le Graët disparages Zinedine Zidane. Star player Kylian Mbappé reacts. Karim Benzema also comments on this.
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Zinedine Zidane is attacked by France’s federation president Noël Le Graët.
Didier Deschamps extended his contract as Les Bleus coach until 2026 a few days ago. This makes it clear: Zinédine Zidane (50) will not become the French national coach – at least not in the near future. And probably not as long as Noël Le Graët (81) is still President of France.
In an interview with “RMC Sport”, he said condescendingly about the midfield icon. Zidane would have been the first alternative to Deschamps for many had Deschamps not renewed his contract. Not so for the President – he rebuffed the 50-year-old live on air. And how!
Regarding the possible job, Le Graët never spoke to Zidane. And: “If Zidane had called, I would not have even answered, let alone responded to it.”
The 81-year-old entrepreneur is also asked in the interview whether he knows where “Zizou”, who has been unemployed for a good two years, could end up. His answer: “He can do whatever he wants, it doesn’t interest me in the least.”
“Shall kiss his shoes”
The statements and the tone of voice in the answers cause a lot of resentment in France. After all, Zidane became world champion as a player with France in 1998 and two years later also won the European Championship title with his country.
«Zidane is France. You don’t treat a legend that disrespectfully, »writes Kylian Mbappé on Twitter. World footballer Karim Benzema becomes even clearer. “Maybe he should see what Zidane has done for French football and then kiss his shoes instead of talking about him like that.”
Even Real Madrid are in touch
While Sports Minister Amelie Oueda-Castera is now demanding a public “correction of the matter”, Real Madrid is publishing an official statement. “A lack of respect for one of football’s greatest legends. Zinedine Zidane has always defended his country with all his heart.”
Neither Noël Le Graët, the French federation nor Zinédine Zidane have commented on the subject. But one thing already seems clear: the two parties should no longer become friends. (par)