Police Raid French Rugby Federation

[rowan]

Police have conducted raids today at the French rugby federation headquarters amid an investigation into an alleged conflict of interest involving federation president Bernard Laporte.

A report by The Associated Press states that a person with direct knowledge of the investigation, told them that the national financial prosecutor’s office ordered the police searches at the national centre of rugby in Marcoussis where the France squad is preparing for the Six Nations.

The person also claims that Laporte’s place of residence was raided. The raid is said to be in relation to accusations against Laporte that he pressured the French federation’s appeals board to reduce sanctions against Montpellier, which is owned by his close friend, Mohad Altrad.

Montpellier’s €70,000 fine was reduced to €20,000 and a one-game stadium ban cancelled after Laporte’s intercession. Prosecutors have now decided to open a formal investigation that could lead to Laporte being handed preliminary charges.

http://rugbylad.ie/police-raid-french-r ... rtes-home/

[Which Tyler]

Isn't Laporte an ex-politician? In France?

Of course he's corrupt, it's part of the job description!

[rowan]

Secretary of State for Sport - and, yes, corrupt as they come. How do you think France got the 2023 RWC . . .

Strange that this story appears to have been completely ignored by a number of mainstream rugby news sites, as well.

[morepork]

My God man. You could be onto something. Fire up the Batsignal and start a blog.

[rowan]

A moronic and infantile response, mate.

It is very curious that the story made sports headlines on web sites like the BBC's, but was totally ignored by a number of prominent rugby-specific web sites. I'm not sure what the latest developments are, but the fact the offices of one of the major national unions (and one of its prominent figures) were raided by the cops should obviously have been headline news on those rugby-specific web sites as well. But we all know they don't show much interest in anything but elite European & SANZAAR competitions.

The fact Laporte is also under suspicion for bribery surely casts a new light on the recent RWC-hosting campaign, France surprisingly winning on the back of support from the cashstrapped minor unions and confederations.

[tigran]

Seriously, are you a SUN correspondant ?

[morepork]

Tigs is French, so you can lecture him on things happening in France.

Good to see you again Frog.

[tigran]

Hi moreporky, how are you doing ?

[morepork]

I'm all good brother. Is France going to play anyone under 900kg this year?

[cashead]

Reminder that rowan once tried to lecture a person who studied Imperial Chinese history at university about the nature of the Yuan Dynasty.

[Which Tyler]

Were the FFR hiding all the Nutella?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42826028

[rowan]

Chocolate is going extinct, apparently. Just as long as it doesn't run out before I die, that's all that matters!

[tigran]

I'm all good brother. Is France going to play anyone under 900kg this year?

Maybe too much..

Some exciting new prospects, without experience and all that...too..