Laporte guilty of corruption charges
The man the Fiji Rugby Union supported for the World Rugby’s vice-chairman’s position in 2020 has been given a twoyear suspended prison sentence and a FJD$174,000 fine for corruption.
Bernard Laporte, who is also the president of the French Rugby Federation- was also banned from holding rugby posts for two years.
This is nine months before France hosts the Rugby World Cup.
That ban is suspended pending an expected appeal from Laporte’s lawyer.
Laporte self-suspend from all positions held within World Rugby’s governance structures on Tuesday.
French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said the sentence was an “obstacle for Bernard Laporte to be able, as it stands, to continue his mission in good conditions” as federation president.
Oudea-Castera called for a “new democratic era to allow French rugby to rebound as quickly as possible and sufficiently healthy and solid, with a governance by the federation that will have the full confidence of the clubs”.
Favouritism
According to French news agency AFP, the court ruled that Laporte had showed favouritism in choosing France’s shirt sponsor.
In March 2017, Laporte awarded a nearly FJD$4.2 million shirt sponsor contract to close friend Mohed Altrad, the billionaire owner of Top 14 champions Montpellier.
Altrad was given an 18-month suspended sentence and FJD$116,000 fine. Both men deny any wrongdoing and Altrad’s lawyer said he would study the decision before deciding on whether to appeal.
In February 2017, Laporte signed a FJD$417,000 deal with Altrad group for his image reproduction rights and prosecutors claim Laporte did not deliver the services paid for.
Altrad’s logo still features on France’s shirts, with Laporte, 58, negotiating a follow-up deal in 2018.
Laporte, who coached France to the 2003 and 2007 World Cup semifinals, was also found guilty of intervening with disciplinary action against Altrad’s club Montpellier. He was convicted of helping to reduce a fine against the club from FJD$162,000 to FJD$45,000.
In November, financial prosecutors searched the headquarters of France’s 2023 Rugby World Cup organisers as part of a government inquiry into the management of the organising committee.
World Rugby statement
World Rugby notes the decision by World Rugby Vice-Chairman Bernard
Laporte to self-suspend from all positions held within its governance structures with immediate effect following his conviction by the French court in relation to domestic matters, and pending his appeal.
While acknowledging Laporte’s self-suspension and right of appeal, given the serious nature of the verdict World Rugby’s Executive Committee has referred the matter to its independent ethics officer for review in accordance with its integrity code.
World Rugby will not be making further comment until the conclusion of the independent process.