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Laporte issues lengthy Facebook post after being taken into police custody

(Photo by Franck Pennant/AFP via Getty Images)
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France rugby federation president Bernard Laporte has provided a response after being taken into police custody on Tuesday. The 56-year-old is being questioned alongside Montpellier owner Mohed Altrad for his links with the Altrad Group amid allegations of favouring the Top 14 club when sanctions were handed to them in 2017 for irregularities.

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Laporte, who also serves as vice-chairman of World Rugby, is hoping to be re-elected as president of France rugby in ten days time.

In a lengthy message on Facebook, Laporte addressed the situation he finds himself in, describing it as a “rather nauseating electoral strategy” and emphasising that this is only a “preliminary investigation”.

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Former Toulon star Steffon Armitage guests on the latest episode of the Le French Rugby podcast

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Former Toulon star Steffon Armitage guests on the latest episode of the Le French Rugby podcast

The former France rugby head coach insisted he will not be deterred from his campaign to be re-elected, saying: “I say it loud and clear: we will fight, resist, and revolt.

“I’m very respectful of the work of justice and I have been asking for months that this file be completed as quickly as possible. But the method is revolting. The prosecutor’s numerous refusals concerning the postponement of this hearing are unworthy of the justice of a country like France.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/bernard-laporte/courrier-aux-clubs/2816407082017763/

“When justice gets mixed up with politics, both are weakened. I will face this ordeal with strength and serenity. I have no responsibility whatsoever in this case, the contents of which I do not know.”

He also directed his message to amateur clubs in France, saying: “They are trying by incredible means to steal this election from you, to steal your vote for which I fought.”

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The post was signed off with an impassioned rallying call by the Frenchman. He said: “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, they will always find me on their way and they will have to answer for their actions.

“I am more determined than ever to defend this ideal. We must fight and resist. On October 3 at noon, it will be another page of victories for French rugby that will be written, because our team will win. The future is bright. I count on you as much as you can count on me.”

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NoLongerARuck 52 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

The Six Nations produced so many compelling games and so much of action packed moments that you can only conclude that its the best international comp out there at the moment except for a world cup. If Wales improve it will be even better especially given the strides Italy have made in recent times. The Rugby Championship is now taking a hiatus in a year it really should be building toward something better which is terrible considering the competition was so tight last year. The Nations Champs promises much but one gets the feeling that the 6 Nations teams will not be at their peak given its at the end of their long season. In terms of rugby quality and entertainment Id rather watch the 6 Nations over everything else other than a world cup right now. The North arguably offers more in terms of entertainment than the South at club level as well. The Prem, the Champs Cup, URC and Top 14 all feature plenty of scoring and different playing styles while Super Rugby seems to be the same thing game in game out. While the South tries to speed up the game artificially with new trials and law variations the North has shown you can do it with good refereeing which penalises cynical play harshly and encourages positive actions on the field. In terms of entertainment the North wins. In terms of winning? They are making strides but until they win another world cup or get a team to rank number 1 again for an extended time again they cant really say they are better than the South.

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