French Rugby Federation head Bernard Laporte handed fine and two-year suspended prison sentence

Head of the French Rugby Federation and World Rugby vice chairman Bernard Laporte has been found guilty in a trial over influence peddling and illegally acquiring assets.

He has been handed a two-year suspended prison sentence and a fine of 75,000 euro following a hearing in a French court on Tuesday.

Montpellier's owner Mohed Altrad was also handed a 18-month suspended prison sentence after being charged with corruption, influence peddling and misuse of corporate assets.

Laporte was convicted after the court ruled that he showed favouritism in awarding the shirt sponsor contract to Altrad, the company owned by his close friend Mohed Altrad – the billionaire owner of Montpellier. The court also ruled that Laporte made a number of marketing decisions in favour of Altrad.

“World Rugby notes the decision of the French court to sentence Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) President and World Rugby Vice Chairman Bernard Laporte on corruption charges which relate to domestic matters,” a statement read.

The governing body did add that “The World Rugby Executive Committee will convene tonight to determine the next steps in accordance with the international federation’s Integrity Code.”

Apart from the duo, Serge Simonwas accused of illegal taking of interests but is released without a charge while Claude Atcher was sentenced to a fine of €5,000. Benoît Rover was also handed a fine of €5,000.

All five men can appeal against the verdict.