Laporte heard Tuesday by the financial police in the Altrad case

Bernard Laporte (foreground) and Mohed Altrad (second) at Stade de France on February 1, 2019. -

The president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) Bernard Laporte is summoned to the Economic Crime Repression Brigade (BRDE) on Tuesday to be heard in the case of his links with the president of the Montpellier club, Mohed Altrad, a AFP learned Monday from sources familiar with the matter, confirming information from the

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Laporte will be heard as part of a preliminary investigation opened in 2017 by the national financial prosecutor's office, which had received a report from the inspectors general of the Ministry of Sports.

A convocation and elections

In question, the supposed pressure from Bernard Laporte to the federation's appeal committee to reduce in June 2017 the sanctions pronounced against Montpellier Hérault Rugby (MHR), the club owned by the Altrad group, also sponsor of the team of France.

On August 13, 2017, the JDD also revealed the existence of a contract for 150,000 euros of image services between BL Communication, a company managed by Laporte, and Altrad Investment Authority, a contract which the boss of French rugby had finally renounced. .

As part of the investigation, the three members of the federal appeal board have already been heard.

Contacted by AFP, the federation and Bernard Laporte's lawyer did not wish to comment.

This convocation comes about ten days before the elections for the presidency of the federation, where the former secretary of state for sports (2007-2009) is seeking a second term.

Scheduled for October 3, they pit Bernard Laporte against his main opponent Florian Grill.

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• Montpellier Rugby

• Sport

• XV of France

• Mohed Altrad

• Bernard Laporte

• Rugby