The elected representatives of the Republic speak to the elected representatives of the FFR

“For a long time, rugby was considered the school of life.

We learned the principles of life there: solidarity, altruism, respect for the adversary, the referee, those who gave the club the means to exist.

Among these principles, that of respect for democracy, seems to us essential to the functioning of our Nation as well as to the functioning of institutions such as the French Rugby Federation.

We heard with satisfaction its leaders, led in 2016 by Bernard Laporte, wanting to further democratize this institution.

Isn't this the best way to best meet the expectations of amateur clubs?

Sporting expectations of course, but also societal expectations so that Rugby is really a school of life and that the Federation plays its role of "intermediate body" in terms of public sports policy in France.

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Today, this momentum is broken by the inconsistency of the current leaders of the FFR, which is damaging for Rugby but more broadly for democracy.

Twice, the majority of amateur clubs expressed their distrust of the leaders of this Federation.

First during a financial General Assembly last December then, in a more massive way, with an exceptional participation of more than 90%, during a recent referendum which aimed to restore to these elected representatives a legitimacy lost after the withdrawal of their President following a conviction at first instance for corruption.

"We invite the current leaders to respect the recommendations of the State and to draw the conclusions of the recent election by submitting their results to the vote of the clubs as soon as possible."

Clearly disavowed, the Steering Committee of the FFR nevertheless decided to remain in power by considering that the referendum had no value and by dissociating itself from its President who, himself, resigned.

Worse, the members of this same Steering Committee rejected the word of the State by declaring "to make fun" of the opinion of the Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, totally ignoring the efforts of the regions and the State who provided financial support for the event and without whom world-class events cannot take place.

Respect for the State, for democracy and for the expression of voters cannot be negotiated: it is, in France,

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So that Rugby is again a school of life, so that this magnificent sport is supported by a legitimate Federation and that France can celebrate its "Blues" on the occasion of a successful World Cup, we invite the leaders present to respect the recommendations of the State and to draw the conclusions of the recent election by submitting their results to the vote of the clubs as soon as possible.

List of signatories

Christine Bonfanti-Dossat

: Senator from Lot-et-Garonne

: Senator from Hérault

: Senator from Pas de Calais

: Senator from Puy-de-Dôme

: Senator from Var

: Secretary general of the UDI, senator from the North

: senator from Creuse

: senator from Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

: deputy from Val-d'Oise, vice-president of the Assembly National

: former minister, deputy for Manche

: deputy for Loire

: deputy for Belfort

: deputy for Hauts-de-Seine

: deputy for Cher

: deputy for Nord

: deputy for Calvados

: deputy for Aisne

: deputy for Haute -Savoie

: MP for Pas de Calais

: MP for Rhône

: MP for Yvelines

: MP for Oise

: MP for Ille et Villaine

: MP for Val -d'Oise

: President of the Meuse General Council

: Mayor of Bidart

: Mayor of Urrugne

: Mayor of Clermont-Ferrand

: Mayor and President of the Bourg-en-Bresse conurbation

: former vice-president of the National Assembly, mayor of Chamalières

: mayor and president of the agglomeration of Verdun

: mayor of Eragny-sur-Oise, regional councilor Île-de-France

: mayor of Salses and president of the community of municipalities of Salanque-Corbières

 : mayor of Treilles

 : mayor of Balma

: former deputy, municipal councilor of Perpignan

: deputy mayor of Cernay

: municipal councilor of Bourg-lès-Valence

: regional councilor of Normandy

: general delegate of the UDI, Île-de-France regional councilor

: honorary deputy for Puy-de-Dôme

: former deputy for Loire

: former deputy for Aude

: former deputy for Loire

: former MP for Val-d'Oise

: former MP for Moselle