“The image of the FFR has degraded more than ever” … Bernard Laporte’s opponents give voice

The tone went up a notch. With a loud voice and a piercing look, Florian Grill banged his fist on the table on Friday morning in the hall of the Charlety stadium (Paris XIII). The president of the Ile-de-France Rugby League, the leader of the opposition in the French Federation, was not ashamed of his words. “The image of the FFR is more degraded than ever, whether in France or abroad,” thundered the leader of the Ovale Ensemble, who was supported by such figures of the rugby world as Abdelatif Benazzi, Jean-Marc Lerme or Philip Spangero. The team’s revelations show the catastrophe around France in 2023 (the organizer of the World Cup, which will be held from September 8 to October 28) and its management of the FFR. Adding to the problems are scandals involving a Parisian linked to the ticket office. It seems important to us that this crumbling Federation be taken into their own hands. »

The opportunity will present itself next week in the form of a referendum. As such, FFR clubs eligible to vote from Monday to Thursday noon can decide whether to retain Patrick Buisson as FFR Presidential Delegate. The latter was appointed by Bernard Laporte, who was removed from the presidency after being convicted of corruption and influence peddling in the first instance by a Paris court on 13 December 2022 (he filed an appeal in the process).

“We are concerned about the security of this e-voting”

“No one understands that a president convicted in the first instance can choose his successor,” emphasizes Florian Grill. If “yes” wins, we will respect the decision of the clubs, but if it is “no”, the management of the FFR will have an obligation to respect, in turn, the interests of rugby and, above all, to be responsible. He will have to organize a general election. »

And hurry up to avoid confusion as the World Cup approaches. “It’s entirely possible in as little as six weeks,” Grill says. A steering committee will be convened next Friday to ratify the results, to which Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera has invited herself. If “no” wins, no one will understand that the steering committee is proposing a different candidate and a new vote next month. »

Therefore, the referendum promises to be decisive. If so, the management team will remain in place until 2024, or until 2025 if the next election is postponed due to the organization of the Paris Olympic Games (July 26-August 11, 2024). If not, it will be very difficult for him to resist the combined pressure of the ministry and the opposition. “We are very confident because our relays are returning to the clubs,” adds Florian Grill. But we are concerned about the security of this electronic voting. At the moment we have no guarantees. We want complete transparency. »