Organizers of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France said police raided their offices on Wednesday as part of a legal investigation into the management of the competition under former chief executive Claude Atcher.
Atcher was fired as president of France 2023 last month after an internal investigation found “disturbing management practices” amid allegations of bullying and harassment by staff.
On Wednesday, the Financial Crimes Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed for the first time that it had opened an investigation into possible nepotism, corruption and abuse of influence in France 2023, which was formed as a public interest group.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement that the investigation came after a referral from auditors from the Ministry of Finance and Sports, and confirmed raids are underway in various locations.
“This intervention comes after the investigation by the financial inspectors, who are mandated by the government this summer to check the management of the units of the organizing committee,” France 2023 said in a statement, adding that it would not comment further for the time being.
French sports daily L’Equipe said investigators were looking into the misuse of personal expenses, “certain contracts in the past, as well as allegations of irregularities linked to the ticket system for the 2023 World Cup”.
Uscher’s comment came due to the preliminary findings of a labor inspectorate investigation that began at the end of June, after L’Equipe reported accusations of his “management of terrorism”.
Atcher’s deputy Julian Collette took over from him as CEO.
The Rugby World Cup kicks off on September 8 next year, with hosts France playing New Zealand at the Stade de France. The final is scheduled to take place on October 28.
The flaw in the World Cup organizing committee is an unwelcome embarrassment for France as it prepares to host the Olympics in 2024.
In September, French prosecutors demanded the imprisonment of Bernard Laporte, president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and former sports minister, on corruption and influence abuse charges.
At the same trial, prosecutors called for Atcher to be sentenced to two years in prison, suspended.
The charges relate to business deals made with Mohamed El Trad, the billionaire businessman and owner of the 14 best champions in Montpellier, including a contract to put the Altrad company logo on the shirts of the French national team.
Laporte denied the allegations during the trial, which closed for trading in September, and the verdict is still pending.
