The clubs rejected on Thursday, the candidate for the post of deputy president proposed by the president of the FFR, himself withdrawn after a judicial conviction. A few months before the World Cup in France, the governance of tricolor rugby is paralyzed.
by Clément Martel
Who will direct the French Rugby Federation (FFR), a few months before the 2023 World Cup which is held in France? At the end of sixty-two hours of election, the “cardinals” of French rugby refused anointing to Patrick Buisson; and at the National Rugby Center of Marcoussis (Essonne), uncertainty reigns.
Presidents of all associations of amateur clubs in France were called upon, since Monday, to express – electronically – their opinion on the governance of the FFR. Although tight, the result of the ballot, communicated Thursday, January 26, is final. With 51.06 % of the votes, French rugby rejected the candidate proposed by Bernard Laporte to assume his prerogatives, while the former coach of the XV of France is fixed on his appeal trial.
sentenced on December 13, 2022 to two years in prison suspended, 75,000 euros fine and two years of ban on exercising any function related to rugby – in particular for “passive corruption”, “traffic of Influence “and” illegal taking of interests ” -, Bernard Laporte called. And initially heard, presumption of innocence obliges, remain in place for the presidency of the FFR. But under the pressure of the Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castera, and of the federation’s ethics committee, the leader agreed to a “background” making him lose all his functions with the exception of the title. And proposed, in agreement with the statutes of the FFR, a deputy president to replace him.
Responsible for weighing the pros and cons of the candidacy of Patrick Buisson, the some 1,500 amateur clubs that dot French rugby have chosen to lower their thumb. A Camouflet for Bernard Laporte, who had personally appointed the vice-president of the FFR in charge of amateur rugby, to the point of incorporating his name into the question posed to the clubs-“approve of Bernard Laporte’s proposal to designate Patrick Buisson As a delegate president of the FFR? “.
election holding after this vote of distrust?
“I find it incredible that it be the president to whom we asked to withdraw who offers his successor, Tance Eric Marchoux, president of the Lacapelle-Biron club (Lot-et-Garonne) and opponent assumed Always president. The fact of mentioning Bernard Laporte in the question was not trivial: it was not a vote for Patrick Buisson. “Although the latter reiterated last week in MO12345lemonde that he” would make all the decisions “In the event of” yes “and that” deputy president, it is not a nominee “, for many clubs, the shadow of Bernard Laporte had oscillated behind the one who has been part of his close guard since 2016.
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