French Rugby Federation

May 8, 2023

Home » News » French Rugby Federation Rejects Bernard Laporte’s Proposal for Patrick Buisson as Deputy President byarchywordys No Comments The appointment of Patrick Buisson as deputy president of the French Rugby Federation, on the proposal of Bernard Laporte, was rejected by the French clubs, the FFR announced on Thursday. The former leader of the club of Uzès in the Gard will not be president-delegate. The “no” vote won 51.06% during this consultation open to some 1,500 clubs in the country after the withdrawal of Laporte, recently convicted of corruption but who appealed. They delivered their verdict this Thursday, January 26, 2022. Some 1,500 clubs were called upon to decide since Monday on the appointment of Patrick Buisson as president-delegate of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) after the withdrawal of Bernard Laporte seven months from the World Cup in France During this consultation, the 1,490 clubs responded electronically to the following question: “Do you approve of Mr. Bernard Laporte’s proposal to appoint Mr. Patrick Buisson as deputy president of the FFR?” The steering committee of the governing body of French rugby will meet on Friday in Marcoussis, near Paris, in the presence of the Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, “to decide on the follow-up to be given”indicated the FFR, after this referendum which gave rise to a high participation rate (90.46%). “I take note of this result and will go tomorrow morning (Friday, editor’s note) to the headquarters of the Federation for the opening of the meeting of the steering committee, in order to assess the consequences with all of its members. their committee during the morning with the responsibility of deciding on the follow-up to be given to this engaging democratic expression”explained Oudéa-Castéra in a press release. “I have confidence in the fact that these exchanges will make it possible to find a way to quickly stabilize clear and legitimate governance, while continuing to prepare effectively and serenely, both sportingly and organizationally, for the 2023 World Cup and our country has the honor of hosting”added the minister. Former scrum half, computer scientist in civilian life, Patrick Buisson has been in charge of amateur rugby at the Federation since 2020. He was also manager of the Uzès club and chaired the Provence rugby committee before joining Bernard Laporte’s staff. in 2016. President of the FFR since December 2016, Bernard Laporte was given a two-year suspended prison sentence on December 13 for having entered into a “corruption pact” with the businessman and president of the Montpellier club Mohed Altrad. Having appealed the decision, his sentence, together with the ban on exercising his activity as president of the FFR, is not immediately enforceable. The former coach of the Blues refuses as such to resign but agreed, under the joint pressure of the Minister of Sports, the National Rugby League (LNR) and the ethics committee of the FFR, to withdraw behind a delegate president until the appeal trial, which should only take place after the Mondial-2023 which will take place in France (September 8-October 28). Written with AFP.