France allowed ‘major failures’ in finances of 2023 Rugby World Cup: Watchdog
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French Court of Accounts' president Pierre Moscovici said the FFR gave unrealistic commitments to World Rugby to secure the hosting of the tournament.
PHOTO: AFP
PARIS – “Major failures” in the French government’s oversight of the 2023 Rugby World Cup led to heavy losses and left the French Rugby Federation (FFR) in financial difficulties, the state’s audit watchdog said on April 8.
The French Court of Accounts pointed the finger at the first head of the tournament’s organising committee, Claude Atcher.
But it also said the FFR and the government had to bear some responsibility “because of major failures in the control they should have exercised over the organising committee”.
Despite promises that the tournament would generate big profits, it led to heavy financial losses, especially for the FFR.
“Everyone won, except the (French) organisers,” the court’s president Pierre Moscovici said at a press conference.
The tournament was an “undeniable success with the public, the media and in a sporting sense”, but generated financial losses which could reach up to nearly €29 million (S$43.1 million) once related legal cases have been resolved.
“The financial targets were not met and the legacy resources left behind for rugby are virtually nil,” Moscovici said.
He said the FFR gave unrealistic commitments to World Rugby to secure the hosting of the tournament.
The international federation “achieved the best financial result in its history” from the tournament, while the FFR made “a minimum loss of €19.2 million, rising to €28.9 million”, Moscovici said.
The government really became involved in the organisation in 2022 only after a crisis in the organising committee when Atcher was removed over concerns over his management style.
Moscovici said he was concerned that “the French government does not have a clear, substantiated doctrine for analysing the conditions under which it provides its support” for the organisation of an international competition.
He said he hoped the recommendations contained in the report would be heeded by the organisers of the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps.
The French Court of Accounts was closely involved in the oversight of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and is expected to produce a report in June.
Atcher, in a formal right to reply to the report on the Rugby World Cup, claimed that “the catastrophic management of the event after my departure deprived French rugby of nearly €50 million in earnings”.
Meanwhile, Cardiff Rugby served formal notification on April 8 that they intend to enter administration, in a further setback for the 15-a-side code in Wales.
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), however, appears poised to support the capital club, who were formed in 1876.
“We are aware Cardiff Rugby have confirmed notice of intention to appoint administrators,” said a WRU spokesperson said.
“And we are working closely with the Cardiff board and the administrators to safeguard the future of professional rugby in Cardiff.”
The announcement will raise fresh questions about the viability of professional club rugby in Britain, given former English Premiership clubs Worcester, Wasps and London Irish all entered administration during the 2022-23 season. AFP
