French rugby in turmoil as Laporte gets suspended sentence over corruption

French rugby was left reeling Tuesday after federation president Bernard Laporte received a two-year suspended prison sentence on corruption charges just nine months before France hosts the sport's World Cup. 

Laporte, 58, was convicted after the court ruled he showed favouritism in awarding a shirt sponsorship contract for the national side to Mohed Altrad, the billionaire owner of Top 14 champions Montpellier. 

He was also banned from holding any rugby post for two years, but this is suspended pending an appeal which Laporte's lawyer said was imminent. 

Laporte is also vice-chairman of the sport's global governing body, World Rugby, who issued a statement following the judgement and are to hold a meeting later Tuesday to discuss the matter. 

"The World Rugby Executive Committee will convene tonight to determine the next steps in accordance with the international federation's Integrity Code. A further update will be made following the meeting." 

Laporte faces problems on the domestic front, too, with Florian Grill, who narrowly lost to him in the 2020 election for federation chief, calling for him and the entire board to stand down. 

"It is unheard of in rugby, this is an earthquake," he told AFP. 

"We have never before seen a president of the federation condemned to two years in prison, even if it suspended. 

"We think the 40 members of the board of directors should draw the obvious conclusions and resign." 

French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said the sentence was an "obstacle for Bernard Laporte to be able, as it stands, to continue his mission in good conditions" as federation president. 

Oudea-Castera called for a "new democratic era to allow French rugby to rebound as quickly as possible and sufficiently healthy and