French football president forced to stand down amid sexual harassment investigation

Noel Le Graet stepped back from his duties as President of the French football federation following an emergency executive committee meeting over allegations of sexual harassment of 'several female employees'.

After claims of sexual harassment emerged against the 81-year-old, French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra ordered an investigation into the French football body.

The federation informed that Noel Le Graet agreed to step away from his role until the audit's findings have been fully reviewed by the executive committee. Until then, he has been replaced by vice president Philippe Diallo.

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Le Graet had recently come under fire for his comments against France legend Zinedine Zidane, where he had quipped that he would not pick up the phone if the former Le Bleus superstar tried calling him.

Leadership roles in French sports have also come under scrutiny in recent months. French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte is fighting a suspended two-year sentence on corruption charges.