Placed in custody this Tuesday at noon in the premises of the Brigade for the repression of economic delinquency (BRDE), Bernard Laporte explained himself via a very virulent letter sent, via Facebook, to the presidents of the 1,900 amateur clubs who, in ten days (Saturday October 3), will elect the president of the FFR.
For the current boss of the Federation, the timing of his hearing is in no doubt.
If he never cites their name, he accuses the leaders of professional rugby (Paul Goze and Emmanuel Eschalier, at the head of the League with which the Federation has been in open conflict for months) of being in charge.
“Ten days before a crucial deadline for our Federation, a coordinated campaign of destabilization is falling on French rugby.
It is a real coup attempt, the motivation of the authors of which is beyond doubt.
All of this is part of a real electoral strategy that is quite nauseating, ”Bernard Laporte lashes out.
"
The press campaign around this convocation will be skilfully orchestrated to create a bad buzz in the media
"
Bernard Laporte
The president of the FFR specifies that his placement in police custody is a “logical and normal step, resulting from a procedure which began almost three years ago and for which I am eager to speak.
I would like to point out to you that this is a preliminary investigation and that as such, there was objectively no urgency to hear from me before the election.
Faced with the risk of interference with the electoral process and the fairness of the ballot, we asked for a postponement of a few days from the PNF prosecutor in charge of this investigation.
This has been refused to us on several occasions with the only explanation being that of calendar organization difficulties. ”
"READ ALSO: The lawyer of Bernard Laporte in Figaro:" there is nothing at all in the file "
Contrary to what his lawyer told us, Maître Jean-Pierre Versini-Campinchi, dismissing the conspiracy thesis, Bernard Laporte, him, goes in this direction.
“In this conjunction of calendars, I can only see a design.
The press campaign around this convocation will be skilfully orchestrated to create a bad buzz in the media.
It is written.
This media tribunal has only one objective: to present myself in your eyes as guilty without the possibility of defending myself and by ignoring the presumption of innocence, a fundamental right protecting us all. ”
"
I disturb the professional world which would like to see me fall in favor of a more malleable team, not to say servile
"
Bernard Laporte
He then targets the leaders of the League, Paul Goze and his right-hand man, Emmanuel Eschalier, whose head he had claimed when he arrived at the head of the Federation.
For a latent war for nearly four years, which has become even more intense in recent months with the standoff on the international calendar.
"I have nothing to reproach myself.
On the contrary, I have done everything to make the rugby that we love win.
This amateur rugby which had remained the poor relation of several decades of lethargy of a Federation which no longer reformed, too busy capitalizing to build a pharaonic and ruinous stadium.
(…) I disturb the professional world, which I have obliged to contribute jointly to the amateur world, and which would very much like to see me fall in favor of a more malleable team, not to say servile. "
Still without naming a name, Bernard Laporte aims his opponent in this election, Florian Grill.
“It is obvious that I am angry, continues Bernard Laporte, in his very long and inflamed mail.
Not for myself, because I have nothing to reproach myself with, but for you leaders of voluntary clubs.
We are trying by incredible means to steal this election from you, to steal your vote for which I fought. ”
Reaffirming his innocence - "I am not questioned by justice" - and his "respect for the work of justice", he considers "the method revolting".
“The Prosecutor's numerous refusals concerning the postponement of this hearing are unworthy of the justice of a country like France.
When justice gets mixed up with politics, both are weakened.
(…) This calendar is appalling and unworthy of the functioning of an enlightened democracy. ”
A declaration of war
A situation that does not push him to give up.
On the contrary.
“I say it loud and clear: we will fight, resist, and revolt.
(…) I will not let these low maneuvers steal your vote.
I call on you to vote for a just future, where the money generated by professional rugby goes to volunteers. ”
And to launch a real declaration of war on professional rugby.
“To those who have other designs;
to those who think they can abandon amateur clubs to their fate;
to those who think that the XV of France is not important: those will always find me on their way and they will have to answer for their actions. "
Read also
Bernard Laporte and the French rugby staff placed in police custody