The two-year suspended prison sentence of the president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) Bernard Laporte “obstructs” the continuation of his mission at his head less than a year from the Rugby World Cup in France , said Tuesday the Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, in a press release sent to AFP.
A few hours before the verdict in the so-called “Laporte-Altrad” affair, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra made known her position on the presidency of the French Rugby Federation. In a press release sent to AFP, she also calls for “a new democratic era to allow French rugby as quickly as possible to start again on a sufficiently healthy and solid foundation”.
The Minister of Sports “took note of the conviction at first instance which retains serious breaches and provides, in particular, a ban on exercising any function related to rugby for two years”. Bernard Laporte having appealed the decision, the suspended prison sentence as well as the additional penalty of prohibition of exercise are not immediately enforceable.
“Clear ethical and governance framework”
This new context “prevents Bernard Laporte being able, as it stands, to continue his mission in good conditions at the head of a Federation delegated a public service mission, at such a decisive moment for French rugby. only the last straight line before a Rugby World Cup where France will receive nations from all over the world”.
The minister specifies that she will have “in a short time an exchange with the stakeholders of the governance of the FFR”. She says she is attached “in a clear ethical and governance framework, to the principle of autonomy of federations and to its respect”. It is up to “federal authorities to take their responsibilities”, she adds.
“Whatever the institutional path that will be chosen by the Federation and its actors, guarantees must be provided without delay on its operation to get through this troubled period, in connection with World Rugby”, adds the Minister of Sports and the Olympic Games in her communicated.