Bernard Laporte resigns as president of French rugby

First Amendment: 01/27/2023 – 12:50Last update: 01/27/2023 – 12:48

“I can confirm the resignation of Bernard Laporte,” the minister told reporters at the federation’s headquarters in Marcusi, south of Paris.

Odia Castera added: “I call for the organization of general elections.”

The attorney general’s office said Laporte was released on Tuesday after being detained as part of a tax fraud investigation, a month after he was found guilty of corruption.

The Paris Correctional Court sentenced Laporte to a two-year suspended prison sentence and a fine of 75,000 euros ($79,900) for benefiting businessman Mohamed Al Trad in a series of decisions.

Under pressure from the NFL’s Sports Ministry and Ethics Committee, LaPorte temporarily resigned from chair duties following his conviction.

According to a source close to the case, the new investigation for which he was arrested on Tuesday is different from the case in which he was convicted and for which the 58-year-old sports leader has appealed the verdict.

“It wasn’t Bernard Laporte (in the committee meeting), I respect not being involved in the cases, I obviously thought about him, I think he made the right decision, he contributed to French rugby, he also has positive elements in his balance.”

The resignation of Laporte, a central figure in French rugby for the past 20 years, comes seven months before the end of the country’s World Cup.

The Leader was Minister of Sport between 2007 and 2009, just after directing Les Bleus (2000-2007). President of the Federation since 2016.

© 2023 AFP