[ad_1]
The president of the French rugby federation, Bernard Laporte. (Photo by Pascal Guyot / AFP)
French rugby federation (FFR) President Bernard Laporte he broke down in tears Thursday and vowed to return with renewed strength after he was released from police custody as part of an investigation into suspicions that he favored the Top 14 Montpellier club.
Laporte, who is also vice president of World Rugby, is suspected of pressuring the French league appeals committee to reduce disciplinary punishment against Montpellier in 2017.
The team’s billionaire owner, Mohed Altrad, and the main organizer of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, Claude Atcher, as well as two senior FFR officials, were also released from detention.
“The dialogue with the investigators finally convinced me. Despite the advanced investigations, with colossal resources, press campaigns that did not stop raising the same theories … the case is empty.” Laporte wrote on Facebook.
“There is nothing concrete. Guesses, interpretation, scenarios”, added.
At a press conference later Thursday, Laporte was in tears and had to stop for a few moments to compose himself.
“I slept very well last night. I will go out with strength, enthusiasm and conviction to help the amateur clubs that need it. We will win on October 3. I will fix things,” added the 56-year-old who is standing for re-election as President of the FFR with the expected result for October 3.
“It is not easy to be in custody. The same day in an article, he (Florian Grill, his rival in the elections) declared that I set fire to the federation. That is kicking a player when he is down.
“If it is your rugby values, you must leave our sport.”
Laporte hinted that he has become the victim of a dirty trick campaign in the run-up to next month’s vote.
“This was only in the media. With less than 10 days to go, I legitimately wonder. Who could benefit from this storm?” Laporte said.
“Now that I know the position of this investigation, I am more serene than ever,” he added.
Laporte, who has also served as French sports minister, has always denied ever intervening in favor of Altrad’s side, but admits he had a phone conversation with the head of the appeals committee, Jean-Daniel Simonet, before he switched. the decision.
Three months before the alleged events, the Altrad group, specialized in building materials, was named a sponsor of the France jersey and launched its financial muscle behind the successful bid to host the World Cup in three years.
