On November 14, Frenchman Abdelatif Benazzi experienced significant disillusionment. For good reason, the former captain of the French XV lost by a narrow head (25 to 27 votes) against the Australian Brett Robinson in the race for the presidency of World Rugby. “My message got through, but it was politics that turned things around.[…] There is a small detail that escaped me at the last moment. It doesn't come from historical allies. I was told that I was betrayed”, declared the presidential candidate at the Olympic Midday after his defeat.
Indeed, the French's supporters were confident about their victory in the second round, Abdelatif Benazzi having had the support of numerous continental federations. But nothing happened as planned and several international media took up the matter. On the side of the international institution, tensions appeared following this election.
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Abdelatif Benazzi betrayed?
Thus, The Times affirmed that the president of Rugby Africa Herbert Mensah would have betrayed his commitment, to secure him a position in the Executive Office of World Rugby. The Ghanaian businessman was indeed elected, but the information was denied by its supporters, Rugby Africa and the initial article was modified accordingly.
“Completely false, please find out. The two absentees were Italy and Japan, not Africa. On the contrary, France did not even vote for Africa”, confided Godwin Kayangwe Arinaitwe, president of the Ugandan federation on his X account. The leader targets France's non-support for Herbert Mensah, for the election to the post of Regional Association in the Executive Office of World Rugby.
Abdelatif Benazzi or Brett Robinson, who is the new president of World Rugby?
Furthermore, the Uruguayan newspaper El Observador assures that Africa would have failed Abdelatif Benazzi, arguing that only Italy and Georgia (4 votes in total) sided with France in the second round. On the other hand, Ireland and Rugby Africa (5 votes in total) would have positioned themselves in favor of Brett Robinson in the second vote. Initially, these four nations had voted for the Italian Andrea Rinaldo, eliminated in the first round.
According to the investigation by journalist Ignacio Chans, voters allied to Abdelatif Benazzi in the first round would be France, South Africa, Argentina, Wales, Romania, Uruguay and Fiji. In addition, the continental federations of South America, Europe and Asia would have cast the same vote. However, the vote being by secret ballot, it is impossible to verify the veracity of these revelations.
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Tension between World Rugby and its federations?
A few days after the election, Asia Rugby President Qais A. Al Dhalai posted the following words on his social media: “Hungry dogs are not loyal. They eat with everyone who has food.” He is a fervent supporter of Augustin Pichot, a leading figure in the globalization and openness of rugby.
Before and after the election, Qais A. Al Dhalai publicly supported Abdelatif Benazzi. Despite support from France, the Emirati lost out to Herbert Mensah for the Regional Association post in the World Rugby Executive Board. Finally, Agustín Pichot and some of his allies, including the Uruguayan Sebastian Piñeyrúa, also failed to win in the votes for the seats of the Executive Bureau. A scathing defeat which visibly creates some tension at World Rugby.
South America, this continent that wants to develop its rugby
