The site Mediapart revealed on Saturday that Florian Grill, the president of the FFR, elected last June, held shares in the Montpellier club, amounting to less than 1% of the capital – 78 shares acquired in 2006 and equivalent to 20,000 euros. Florian Grill therefore finds himself a shareholder of Bernard Laporte’s new club, after the latter was appointed director of rugby at the MHR on Sunday.
“I am of Montpellier origin,” explains Florian Grill to The team. At the time, the general director of the club, Jean-Pierre Massines, with whom I played in minor leagues, asked me if I was interested in entering the capital…”. Still, the president of the FFR finds himself a shareholder of a professional club, Montpellier, whose president is Mohed Altrad, even if this purchase of shares dates back to before the takeover of the club by the man of business.
However, the owner of the MHR was convicted, at first instance, of corruption and influence peddling for acts committed with the former president of the FFR, Bernard Laporte. Furthermore, Mohed Altrad owns the industrial group in his name, which happens to be the main sponsor of the FFR.
“I am aware of the problematic nature”
Florian Grill, who, since taking office, has validated the said sponsorship contract, was therefore required to provide additional explanations relating to a potential conflict of interest. Shouldn’t he have deviated from the choice of sponsor Altrad? The president of the FFR delivered his written responses to Mediapart and L’Equipe.
“Spontaneously, before my election, I reported this situation to the ethics and professional conduct committee of the Federation,” argues Florian Grille. I am aware of the problematic nature. The committee ranked this link in second place (the one requiring a deferral each time the steering committee must decide on a subject affecting the MHR, the first place establishes an incompatibility of the accumulation of the two situations). The FFR jersey partnership was with the Altrad group, not the MHR. »
“I wrote several times to Mr. Altrad and to the club, from 2015, in 2020, in 2022, in order to sell these shares,” Grill told L’Equipe. His price would have been mine. Even for a symbolic euro, this is not a problem. I did not receive any answer. However, I cannot force a transfer alone. » The general director of the MHR Jessica Casanova confirmed the existence of the letters but specifies that responses were sent to Grill, which remained unheeded.
