French soccer president steps back pending investigation

By JEROME PUGMIRE
AP Sports Writer

PARIS (AP) — Noël Le Graët has agreed to step back from his duties as president of the French soccer federation following an emergency executive committee meeting into his behavior. The 81-year-old Le Graët has faced claims of sexual harassment and the soccer federation is the target of an investigation ordered by French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra. The federation says Le Graët has agreed to step away from his role until the audit’s findings have been fully reviewed by the executive committee. That is expected to be by the end of January. He will be replaced in an interim role by federation vice president Philippe Diallo.