IT’S NOT OVER The sentencing of Bernard Laporte on Tuesday leaves many open questions
Bernard Laporte, the president of the FFR, this Tuesday at the Paris Criminal Court. — Alain Jocard/AFP
- French rugby boss Bernard Laporte was given a two-year suspended prison sentence on Tuesday by the Paris Criminal Court.
- The court ordered a ban on practicing at the head of the FFR. However, Laporte remains in his post for the time being, because he has appealed.
- The federal opposition demands his resignation, while Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra also puts pressure.
The small world of French rugby hadn’t slept for weeks. The decision of the Paris Criminal Court fell on Tuesday: Bernard Laporte was condemned to two years suspended prison sentence and 75,000 euros fine. The president of the FFR since December 2016 has been judged guilty of having rendered a series of arbitrations for the benefit of Mohed Altrad, after having received from the latter 180,000 euros in March 2017, according to a secret image contract and never executed.
The businessman, CEO of the eponymous construction giant, was condemned to 18 months suspended prison sentence and 50,000 euros fine. In this case, Laporte was found guilty of five of the six offenses for which he was prosecuted, including passive bribery and influence peddling. But he can stay away. the head of French rugby, which raises many questions.
A call that allows Bernard Laporte to continue to lead the Federation
The Paris Criminal Court ruled; a ban on practicing the head of the FFR for two years. However, the former coach of the Blues can remain president because this additional sentence is not enforceable, and the appeal was immediately announced. by Laporte allows its suspension.
Inevitably, the federal office “takes note” of this decision, as well as the release of Serge Simon, n° 2 of the FFR. In a press release published late Tuesday afternoon, he said he was “determined; to maintain its commitment to the benefit of French rugby.” “Our institution needs stability, continues the text. And this in particular to; the start of an event of fundamental importance for the future of our sport, the 2023 World Cup in France.”
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There is no way for Laporte pros to drop their chief, as the chef had indicated. a little earlier Jacky Courrent at 20 Minutes. “We keep our president, whispered the president of the rugby schools commission and member of the committee. director of the FFR. It’s important that he can continue, and that we can continue our actions, because everything we’ve done for rugby over the past six years must not come to an end. water overnight. It has to be realised; at least until’’ the World Cup.” The time of justice being what it is, the appeal trial will surely not take place before the scheduled World Cup. in France from September 8 to October 28, 2023.
The opposition calls for the resignation of Laporte and the committee; director
Florian Grill had been narrowly beaten in the last federal election, in October 2020, in a deleterious climate which has not really improved. since (48.53 % of the votes of amateur clubs against 51.47 % for Laporte). On behalf of the opposition movement Ovale Ensemble, the president of the Ligue Ile-de-France “clearly calls for the resignation of the committee; director to give clubs a voice” within 20 minutes.
“It’s an unprecedented condemnation in French rugby, we’ve never seen ça. Even if there is a call, it is devastating enough that we cannot pretend that nothing has happened. A resignation from the committee director is the only way to appease French rugby before bringing it together at home. the approach of the World Cup. Bringing such a condemnation during the eight months preceding such an event, without going through a re-legitimation by the clubs, would be extremely difficult, even if there is an appeal. »
The Minister of Sports also wants to new elections in the FFR
“The FFR is very well seen at the ministry, asserted Jacky Courrent this Tuesday afternoon in class. In addition to the results of the XV of France which are the most beautiful showcase, the work that is done behind is monstrous, and the ministry is aware of it.” Indeed, at the end of a press release published a little later, Am&élie Oudéa-Castéra detailed the “advances” obtained under the mandate of Laporte, “which deserve to be underlined”.
But before, the tone was much less positive. “In terms of good governance, the Minister considers that this new context is an obstacle to that Bernard Laporte can, as it stands, continue his mission in good conditions at; the head of a Federation delegated a public service mission, to a moment as decisive for French rugby as the last straight line before a Rugby World Cup where; France will receive nations from all over the world.”
Consequence? “The Minister therefore calls for that a new democratic era will allow French rugby as quickly as possible to start again on sufficiently healthy and solid bases, with a governance of the Federation which will have the full confidence of the clubs and will be able to bring people together. ” Clearly, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra hopes for new elections in the FFR, like Florian Grill and the federal opposition.
Only, she does not have the power to dismiss the president of a Federation and says she is “attached, within a clear ethical and governance framework, to the principle autonomy of the federations and to his respect.” “It is therefore up to the authorities of the Federation that it is now up to them to take up their responsibilities.” However, the leaders of the FFR seem determined to Above all, do not change anything between now and the appeal.
What impact for the XV of France?
Launched on a historic series of 13 victories in a row, the Blues carry around with a label of favorites to win. “their” World Cup that nothing more seems to have to take off. Not even the “brothel” to the head of the Fed? “I don”t think “this will affect the France team”, asserts Jacky Courrent, for the current Pro-Laporte. “The committee needs to director takes his responsibilities to preserve the XV of France and the World Cup, repeats on his side; Florian Grill. There is a need to change things.”
Fabien Galthié and Bernard Laporte, friends for life. – Franck Fife/AFP
The press release of the federal office does not really lean in this direction, which can only reassure Fabien Galthié, very close to Laporte since his years of player, when he was the captain of the Blues trained by the current boss of the FFR. “For 20 years, my destiny has been linked; to that of Bernard (Laporte)”, thus recalled the wizard from Lot in Midi Olympiquein September 2020, three weeks before the federal elections narrowly won by the outgoing president.
What about the influence of French rugby in France? globally?
Since 2020, Bernard Laporte has held the vice-presidency of World Rugby, the oval equivalent of FIFA, behind the Englishman Bill Beaumont, in office until 2024. And the Frenchman appears to many observers as a designated successor. de Beaumont, while he has skilfully been able to weave a beautiful network for years, well helped; by Claude Atcher. Except that the big boss of the 2023 World Cup has “fallen” since then, even though it’s benefited from of a release this Tuesday in the complex Laporte-Altrad file for the acts of concealment of breach of trust for which he was accused.
Could Laporte’s legal worries further undermine his planetary ambitions? Response imminent. “World Rugby takes note of the decision of the French courts to condemn the president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and vice-president of World Rugby, Bernard Laporte, on corruption charges that relate to national affairs,” the instance in a press release on Tuesday. “The Committee World Rugby Executive will meet tonight [Tuesday] to determine next steps in accordance with the Integrity Code. of the international federation. A new communication will be made to; the outcome of the meeting.” If the French rugby boss obtained a reprieve on Tuesday, he is certainly not fired. business.