Bernard Laporte receives a 2-year suspended prison sentence, Mohed Altrad 18 months – Release

The match is not over, because it will be extended on appeal, or even replayed in cassation, but all the same: Bernard Laporte, president of the FFR (French Rugby Federation) was sentenced this Tuesday at first instance to two years of suspended sentence for favoritism towards Mohed Altrad. The latter, who also received an eighteen-month suspended sentence, is the president of the Montpellier club (MHR, reigning French champion), sponsor of the jersey of the XV of France but above all former employer of the big boss of the oval . To the point that it is sometimes difficult to understand who really runs French rugby.

“Whether we want it or not, I am the first financier of French rugby», had swaggered at the helm Mohed Altrad, via the Montpellier club or the sponsorship of the France team jersey. But also that of the company Bernard Laporte Consultant (to the tune of 150,000 euros), for its participation in seminars of its group, specialized in the supply of equipment to the construction sector (scaffolding, concrete mixers, etc.). With compensation, favouritism? For the prosecution, pointing to five decisions of the FFR favorable to the MHR, “Bernard Laporte has lost all impartiality and independence, because blinded, stuck, by his conflict of interests with Mohed Altrad”. Reply from the latter’s lawyer, Antoine Vey: “One can question the ethical or moral aspect of their contract, but there is not the slightest evidence of a willingness to buy a decision.”

Justice did not hear it that way on Tuesday. Bernard Laporte was found guilty of having rendered a series of arbitrations for the benefit of the Altrad group – including the granting of the jersey sponsorship of the XV of France – after having received 180,000 euros from him in March 2017 under a image contract never executed. Mohed Altrad is condemned for these same facts.

Justifying the condemnation by the “seriousness of the facts”the president of the court noted the “misunderstanding” by Bernard Laporte of “principles of ethics” which he was nevertheless responsible for applying. The president of the FFR was notably found guilty of corruption and influence peddling and was also banned from exercising any function in rugby for two years.

The court considered that the acts of corruption were characterized in particular by the granting to the Altrad group in early 2018 of the very first contract to sponsor the XV of France shirt after a process which offended the historical partners of the Blues. “The competition procedure was conducted so that only the company AIA (Altrad, editor’s note) makes a proposal”estimated the president of the court.

Bernard Laporte, boss of the FFR since 2016, was also found guilty of having repeatedly favored the Montpellier Hérault Rugby club (MHR), owned by Mohed Altrad, in particular by intervening to alleviate a disciplinary sanction taken against him. Under his leadership, the FFR also canceled the League’s decision to cancel the postponement of two Top 14 matches to which Altrad was notoriously opposed.

Laporte appeals, Altrad “reserves the right”

In response, Bernard Laporte’s lawyer announced his intention to appeal his conviction. “The offenses of corruption and influence peddling do not exist either in law or in fact”, explained Me Jean-Pierre Versini-Campinchi. Also condemned, Mohed Altrad, will study the judgment before deciding, according to his lawyer. “We reserve the right to appeal in the coming days”said Me Antoine Vey.

Prosecuted for these facts, the vice-president of the FFR Serge Simon was acquitted by the court. Also prosecuted in this file with drawers, Claude Atcher, the deposed boss of the organization of the Mondial-2023, was released from the most serious prosecution of concealment of breach of trust. This more or less free electron, a former substitute within the France team converted into sporting events, was simply sentenced to a fine of 5,000 euros for concealed work.

Update : at 3:52 p.m., with more details on the court decision, and Bernard Laporte’s appeal.