Paris (AFP)

Bernard Laporte, candidate for a second term as president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR), "is not the man for the job," said former international Abdelatif Benazzi, who is on the opposition list. by Florian Grill, in an interview with AFP.

The former captain of the XV of France (78 selections between 1990 and 2001), aged 51, is in 17th position on the list unveiled Tuesday by Ovale Ensemble.

The FFR decided Thursday to keep the elections until October 3, despite the opposition's request for postponement, which believes it could not campaign properly during the two months of confinement.

Q: Why did you choose to campaign against the outgoing team?

A: "The situation of French rugby has deteriorated for four years. Even if there were temporary crises in the past, France had never fallen beyond 4th place in the world (9th at the end of 2018, 5th today Above all, the number of licensees had never fallen (the FFR estimates that the decrease dates back to 2011, Editor's note). This time, when we have 54,000 licensees less (since 2016), it's a cry of 'alarm ... (a drop of 31,500 licensees according to the FFR, Editor's note) By dint of playing with fire, we have reached saturation and people are beginning to lose interest in rugby because of health problems - injuries - and scandals generated by the governance of the Federation ... It was too much, we had to get out of this somewhat clan governance to restore the image of French rugby and start again with territorial management with skills in all positions. It is a real strategy, for an overall rugby bringing together amateurs and professionals, which we set up with our 300 proposals. "

Q: What "scandals" are you referring to?

A: "We do not fire a coach like that (Guy Novès at the end of 2017, Editor's note), in a despicable way by saying that there was an audit ... We can change the coach but we have to show a certain respectability, and this cost 3 million euros (1 million euros paid after judgment of the Prudhommes according to the FFR, Editor's note) ... Among other expenses, we can also mention the increase in the wage bill of 12 million euros (Editor's note: the FFR speaks of 6.8 million, Editor's note) Elected people who become employees with 10,000 euros per month (Editor's note: the FFR had recognized that the legal ceiling was exceeded for Vice-President Serge Simon and corrected), me that shocks me: we do not come to the Fédé for cash but to give back to rugby what it brought us. "

- XV of France? "Glimmer of hope" -

Q: Hasn't Bernard Laporte recently managed to straighten out the XV of France by appointing Fabien Galthié coach, at the head of a staff full of skills?

A: "There is a glimmer of hope, there is a new way of managing the France team which started well but I remind you that there is a defeat against Scotland (28-17, last match of the Blues in the Tournament). "

Q: You were general manager of Montpellier, chosen by President Mohed Altrad, who has since become a sponsor of the XV of France and a major partner of the Federation, a position that made people cringe. What will you do with him if you are elected?

A: "He is a major sponsor like any other, he is welcome. Things will not be called into question, on the contrary, the France team needs support. The Altrad program benefits French rugby, amateur rugby. I have a very good relationship with him. Laporte, I knew him as a coach (when the latter was appointed coach of the XV of France in 1999). I have nothing against man, I am against the president, the management of this character at the head of the Federation. He is not the man for the job, he is not a case man. He can bring the Federation to a disaster . "

Interview conducted by phone by Pierrick YVON

© 2020 AFP