The net result of the French Rugby Federation for the 2017-2018 fiscal year amounts to 7.35 million euros, a deficit linked to "exceptional events", justified Friday the FFR at the end of its steering committee . "The voted budget excluding exceptional events has been rigorously respected with a result of -0.25 million euros in the year," defended the Federation in a statement.
Bernard Laporte was elected in 2016 against incumbent President Pierre Camou, who died last August. His beginning of his mandate was marked by the opening of an investigation for suspicion of favoritism towards the president of the club of Montpellier Mohed Altrad, become since the jersey sponsor of XV of France and with which Laporte had signed a private contract, to which he gave up in the face of controversy.
The file is still in the hands of the national financial prosecutor.
"Exceptional events"
Four "exceptional events" explain, according to the Federation, this significant deficit for the first full year of President Bernard Laporte, elected in December 2016:
- The stoppage of the Grand Stade project, "saving and guaranteeing financial health" and requiring "provisions" (2.5 million).
- The organization of the U-20 World Cup in June in a "strategy of reconquest to restore France's place on the international scene" ,
- Investment to achieve the organization of the 2023 World Cup
- The dismissal of coach Guy Novès in December 2017, "a sporting decision assumed to put the XV of France in working order" .
FFR and Novès have since been engaged in a prudhommal procedure, the former Toulouse manager contesting his dismissal for serious misconduct. Despite this deficit, the auditor will certify "without reservation" the accounts at the next financial general meeting, provides the FFR.