Lamine Diack trial: the son, Papa Massata, awaits the verdict with confidence

Text by: RFI Follow

3 min

Only three weeks before the verdict of the Lamine Diack case, the son of the former boss of the International Athletics Federation (IAAF), Papa Massata Diack, finally agrees to speak following the trial which took place from 10 to 18 June 2020 in Paris. Former IAAF marketing advisor, he is also indicted in this case of embezzlement and corruption where the sanctions against Russian athletes have been staggered in exchange for bribes. Charges that the Senegalese businessman denies outright.

Publicity

From our correspondent in Dakar, Théa Ollivier

In the entrance to Papa Massata Diack's house sits a portrait of his father. For five years, the two men have not seen each other because Lamine Diack has been held in France as part of his trial . Trial in Paris in which Papa Massata Diack, also indicted, refuses to appear.

While five years in prison and a 500,000 euro fine are required against him, he awaits the verdict in Dakar. "  J e am not afraid because I think the judges will judge of the Criminal Court to charge and discharge. They will wait to see the accounts of these charges. They said that we received 3 million 450,000 euros. We have not seen any traceability of transfers or cash payments. Are they going to condemn us on the basis of emails or sms? I expected a trial in Paris based on the evidence. Where are the transfers? "

" I will focus on African sport "

French justice suspects Papa Massata Diack of having received kickbacks through his companies, on the sidelines of sponsorship contracts and TV rights. Targeted by an international arrest warrant, the businessman remains calm.

“  Now it's over with international sport, I'm going to focus on African sport. We win better. We charge 20 or 30%, with athletics and my father it was 5 or 8%. I'm going to go to basketball with the NBA, the Africa League which will come. There is also the desire of Fifa to create a football superleague with the 25 biggest African clubs  ”

The Senegalese is already ready to appeal the decision to be taken on September 16.

Newsletter Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

• Senegal
• Justice
• Sports