French football president apologises for 'awkward remarks' on Zidane after backlash

Noel Le Graet, president of the French Football Federation, apologised to Zinedine Zidane for words about the coach that have led to outrage throughout French football, Report informs, citing foreign media sources.

The apology from the 81-year-old head of the French Football Federation duly came on Monday, Le Graet saying: "I would like to apologise for these remarks, which absolutely do not reflect my views, nor my consideration for the player he was and the coach he has become. I gave an interview to (the French radio station) RMC that I should not have given because they were looking for controversy by opposing Didier and Zinedine Zidane, two greats of French football. I admit that I made awkward remarks which created a misunderstanding. Zidane knows the immense esteem I have for him, like all French people."

On Sunday, Le Graet had said Zidane was on the radar and had plenty of support but stood no chance of replacing 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.