Sébastien Chabal denies allegations of Rugby World Cup ticket scandal

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Former Test star Sebastian Chabal has helped France win the hosting rights for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Former France star Sébastien Chabal has denied any wrongdoing amid allegations of a ticketing scandal surrounding this year’s Rugby World Cup in France.

Le Parisien alleged that tournament ambassador Chabal secured more than 100 tickets for the tournament despite his official role only giving him eight.

They also alleged that another former player, Henri Mioch, project manager for the organization of the World Cup between 2017 and 2020, may have acquired even more tickets than Chabal.

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The former NZR boss says there can only be one focus for the rugby body when discussing the sponsorship deal.

Chabal, who played 62 Tests from 2000 to 2011, confirmed in a statement to AFP news agency that he had access to the tickets but denied any irregularities, including reselling tickets for profit.

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Yes, I had privileged access to buy more tickets than is possible for one person, due to my status as Ambassador of France 2023, told AFP Chabal, known as the Caveman for his famously long hair and tough game approach. .

I did not get free tickets or preferential rates. And no, I have no intention of making a profit on these tickets.

Obviously these tickets cannot be resold by those who benefit from them. It is equally unthinkable that they could be used for commercial operations.

Le Parison alleged that the situation evolved from a raid on an office in November last year.

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Sebastien Chabal thrived taking on the All Blacks with his aggressive play.

Their source said the volume of tickets involved meant there was no doubt it was ticket smuggling.”

They claimed that tickets priced at $500 could be resold for $2,500.

An AFP source said the resale of tickets was still under investigation.

The specialized French site Rugbyrama continued the story on Monday, reporting that research would have revealed that several hundred match tickets had been diverted from the traditional sales system… while at the same time many supporters had not reached to obtain the famous competition tickets. .

France’s preparations to host the World Cup in September and October have been marred by controversy.

Chief organizer Claude Atcher was sacked last October for taking advantage of his position and creating an abusive work environment.

As a result, the National Financial Crimes Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation for favouritism, influence peddling, corruption and any other related offense relating to the management” of the organizing committee.

The Organizing Committee’s Board of Directors has appointed Julien Collette Atchers, former Deputy General Manager, to replace Atcher.

And Bernard Laporte has been suspended as president of the French Rugby Federation as he fights a two-year suspended sentence for corruption.

Laporte suspended himself as vice-chairman of World Rugby last month, hours after a Paris court found him guilty of accepting bribes, influence peddling, illegal taking of interests and abuse of social goods.

He was banned from holding any position in rugby for two years, but his lawyer Jean-Pierre Versini-Campinchi said he would appeal the decision, meaning the former France coach and minister for Sports could retain the presidency of the FFR for now.

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