Bernard Laporte, the central figure of French rugby for more than twenty years, resigned as president of the federation (FFR) on Friday 27 January, seven months before the World Cup that will take place in France. His departure was announced in the morning by the Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castera, in front of the FFR headquarters in Marcoussis where an important steering committee was held.

The former coach of the Blues was sentenced on December 13 a two-year suspended prison sentence, a fine of €75,000 and a two-year ban from holding any position related to rugby for corruption, influence peddling, unlawful taking of interests, misuse of company assets, concealment, misuse of company assets. Since then the minister pushed towards the exit the one who held his government position between 2007 and 2009, having coached the Blues (2000-2007) and before assuming the Federation presidency at the end of 2016.

“I can confirm Bernard Laporte’s resignation”, declared Amélie Oudéa-Castéra in front of the FFR building in Marcoussis, where an important steering group meets to draw the conclusions of the vote organized this week among some 1,500 French rugby clubs, which resulted in a rejection of the past President . The question they were asked after Laporte’s withdrawal was simple: “Do you approve of Mr. Bernard Laporte’s proposal to appoint Mr. Patrick Buisson as deputy chairman of the FFR? »

The response was just as good, with 51.06% of voters saying no to this option, with a turnout of almost 91%. Patrick Buisson is close to Bernard Laporte, who retired while retaining his title after his conviction in December.

‘The clubs want to turn the page’

The Minister of Sports was immediately welcomed “the very strong participation of the clubs in this democratic time, which was essential after the conviction at first instance of Bernard Laporte and his withdrawal”.

« J’ai confiance dans le fait que ces échanges permettront de trouver un chemin pour stabilizer rapidement une gouvernance claire et légitime, tout en continuant à préparer efficacement et sereinement (…) la Coupe du monde 2023 que notre pays a l’honneur d’ receive “.Le Graët case: how minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra took advantage

New federal elections could now be organized after the appointment of an interim president. This option is preferred by the opposition to Laporte, including Florian Grill, according to whom “the clubs want to turn the page”. “Let’s have quick elections, bring rugby together and bring it together to face a great challenge and keep our French team”said the president of the Ile-de-France League, which will be a candidate in new elections.

A “pact of corruption”

Bernard Laporte was convicted of the draw of a “corruption pact” with the businessman and president of the Montpellier club Mohed Altrad. After he appealed against the decision, his sentence, accompanied by a ban on exercising his activity as president of the FFR, was not immediately enforceable. But his position was further weakened by his police detention last Tuesday, the day after the opening of voting, for a few hours in a case of money laundering and serious tax evasion, even though he had been released without prosecution at this stage. .

“It is utterly outrageous that the prosecution chose the date of Mr. Patrick Buisson’s election to establish that of the hearing and that the disclosure of this hearing was made on the same day”protested one of Bernard Laporte’s lawyers, Me Jean-Pierre Versini-Campinchi, to AFP “a ruthlessness of the PNF”.