
Bernard Laporte, the man in charge of the French Rugby Federation, appeared in court Wednesday charged with corruption and influence-peddling – just a year out from the French-hosted Rugby World Cup.
The 58-year-old Laporte is accused of favouritism in awarding a shirt sponsor contract for the national side to a close friend, co-defendant Mohed Altrad, the billionaire owner of Top 14 champions Montpellier.