targeted by an international arrest warrant, Australian Rocky Elsom denounces a “clear perversion of justice”

Tuesday 15th October 2024 07:52 AM

The former president of Narbonne, sentenced to five years in prison for misuse of corporate assets, denounces the justice system which would prevent him from defending himself.

Former Australia captain Rocky Elsom called Tuesday a “manifest perversion of justice” his conviction for misuse of corporate assets for his management of the French Narbonne rugby club, after the issue of an international arrest warrant against him.

In a statement to the Sydney Morning Herald, the 41-year-old said he was not informed of the hearing against him and was not given the opportunity to defend himself. “Not allowing me to defend myself against these accusations is a clear perversion of justice”said Elsom, who is currently believed to be in Dublin, Ireland. “I have little more information about the evidence that was presented at the hearing than what is in the public domain. I can therefore only respond to the allegations that have been made publicly”he argued.

Me Patrick Tabet, lawyer for the civil party, told AFP last week that the former rugby player had been sentenced in his absence to five years in prison by the Narbonne criminal court.

Ordered to pay 705,000 euros

President of the Racing Club Narbonnais between 2015 and 2016, Elsom was also found guilty of forgery and use of forgery and was ordered to pay 705,000 euros to the civil party, in this case the club’s liquidator. The former third row with 75 caps for the Australian jersey was notably found guilty of having paid 79,000 euros to a former coach when “nothing could justify it”or to have hired as general manager, for around 7,200 euros per month, an individual living in Australia who “never came to Narbonne” et “did not perform any services” for the club, detailed Me Tabet.

“I ask the public to question the legitimacy of a procedure which does not allow the participation of the person being prosecuted. I was not questioned in this case and the long procedure seems to have deliberately prevented me from testifying.Elsom defended himself to the Australian daily.

Narbonne, French champion in 1936 and 1979, was placed in liquidation and relegated in 2018 after years of financial difficulties. Its former president assured the Herald that he had been a “scapegoat” of the club’s mismanagement following his departure, saying Narbonne was successful on and off the pitch during his tenure.