Noël Yves Marie Le Graët (born 25 December 1941) is a French businessman, politician and football official. Since 18 June 2011, he has been the President of the French Football Federation (FFF). He was the

vice-president A vice president, also director in British English, is an officer in government or business who is below the president (chief executive officer) in rank. It can also refer to executive vice presidents, signifying that the vice president is on ...

of the FFF from 2005 to 2011.

Football career

Le Graët is very influential within the French Football Federation (FFF). Between 1991 and 2000 he was President of Ligue 1, the French professional league and was vice-president of FFF. In this position, he has brought — through acquisition of new sponsors, including of a new supplier contract with

Nike Nike often refers to: * Nike (mythology), a Greek goddess who personifies victory * Nike, Inc., a major American producer of athletic shoes, apparel, and sports equipment Nike may also refer to: People * Nike (name), a surname and feminine give ...

— a substantial improvement of the financial situation of the FFF. Following the resignation of its president, Jean-Pierre Escalettes because of the fiasco of the

France national football team The France national football team (french: Équipe de France de football) represents France in men's international football matches. It is governed by the French Football Federation (FFF; ), the governing body for football in France. It is ...

at the

2010 FIFA World Cup , image = 2010 FIFA World Cup.svg , size = 200px , caption = ''Ke Nako. (Tswana and Sotho for "It's time") Celebrate Africa's Humanity'It's time. Celebrate Africa's Humanity'' (English)''Dis tyd. Vier Afrika se mensd ...

, Noël Le Graët became as a likely candidate for interim Fernand Duchaussoy to succeed him. On 18 June 2011, during elections of the association's federal assembly in

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), ma ...

, he surprisingly collected 54.39 percent of the votes to succeed Fernand Duchaussoy.

Business and life

Born in a neighboring city, the Breton has built-up in the city of

Guingamp Guingamp (; ) is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany in northwestern France. With a population of 6,895 as of 2017, Guingamp is one of the smallest towns in Europe to have a top-tier professional football team: En Avant Gui ...

a diversified family in the food industry during the last years, the Le Graët Group. It operates on various locations in the

Brittany Brittany (; french: link=no, Bretagne ; br, Breizh, or ; Gallo: ''Bertaèyn'' ) is a peninsula, historical country and cultural area in the west of modern France, covering the western part of what was known as Armorica during the period ...

region. With ''Pêcherie d'Armorique'' in

Erquy Erquy (; ; Gallo: ''Erqi'') is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department of Brittany in northwestern France. Erquy is located in a cove of the Penthièvre coast bordered by cape Erquy on one side and a volcanic rock formation called ''pointe ...

it has its own

fishing fleet A fishing fleet is an aggregate of commercial fishing vessels. The term may be used of all vessels operating out of a particular port, all vessels engaged in a particular type of fishing (as in the "tuna fishing fleet"), or all fishing vessels of ...

. Among the best known

brand A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that distinguishes one seller's good or service from those of other sellers. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising for recognition and, importantly, to create ...

names in France belongs Celtigel (frozen meat, fish and vegetable dishes), ''Les Delices de la Mer'' (soups, sauces, bread spreads) and ''Agil Chien/Agil Chat'' (pet food). The group's turnover in 2010 amounted to approximately 163 million

Euro The euro ( symbol: €; code: EUR) is the official currency of 19 out of the member states of the European Union (EU). This group of states is known as the eurozone or, officially, the euro area, and includes about 340 million citizens . ...

. Between 1971 and 1992 and again between 2002 and 2011 he was president of the French Football Club En Avant de Guingamp. For two terms, he was also

mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well ...

of Guingamp from 1995 to 2008, under the banner of the PS.Report on the Elections in Brittany 2008
9. February 2008 (French)

Honours

Officer of the Legion of Honour The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon ...

: 2018

References

External links

Official FFF websiteOfficial Website Le Graet Group
retrieved June 19, 2011 {{DEFAULTSORT:Le Graet, Noel 1941 births Living people People from Côtes-d'Armor Businesspeople from Brittany French football chairmen and investors Officiers of the Légion d'honneur Presidents of the French Football Federation