French Football

French football president apologises for remarks on Zidane after backlash

Zidane was one of the favourites to take charge of the national team if Didier Deschamps had stepped down but his contract was extended after he led France to the World Cup final, where they lost to Argentina in Qatar last month.

When asked if Zidane, a World Cup winner with France in 1998 and a national icon, would now manage the Brazilian national team instead, Le Graet had told RMC: "I don't give a damn, he can go wherever he wants."

Le Graet added he would not even pick up the phone if Zidane called, prompting a backlash and his subsequent apology.