Handball: World Championship gold medallist convicted on corruption of minor
World Championship gold medallist Bruno Martini has resigned as President of France’s Ligue Nationale de Handball (LNH) after being handed a one-year suspended prison sentence for corruption of a minor and recording of child pornography images.
The former goalkeeper, part of the French team that won the International Handball Federation World Championships in 1995 and 2001, reached a plea deal with prosecutors with prosecutors approved by a court in Paris, receiving a 12-month suspended prison sentence, a five-year ban from professions that included contact with children and a €2,500 (£2,200/$2,700) fine.
Martini’s lawyer Elie Dottelonde told Reuters that he had “admitted to the facts” after being questioned on Monday and Tuesday (January 23 and 24).
Martini, who also played for France in two Olympic Games at Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000, has resigned as head of the LNH.
The French Handball Federation (FFHB) had urged Martini to step down, and claimed it “reaffirms its determination to fight against all forms of violence and intends to recall that it severely condemns such facts, when they are established. and regardless of who is involved”.
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Martini served as an FFHB Board member as an LNH representative.
The FFHB Board of Directors held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the case, and “unanimously decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings”, recognising “the seriousness of the offenses for which he was convicted”.
David Tebib was appointed as Interim President of the LNH until elections which had already been scheduled for March 7.
Tebib said “we are indeed in working order to accelerate the development of professional men’s handball”.
French Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games Amélie Oudéa-Castéra praised handball authorities for their “quick, clear and responsible reaction”, and said “this resignation was necessary”.
Handball is the latest Olympic sport hit by a scandal in France.
French Football Federation President Noël Le Graët, who temporarily stood down after making “clumsy remarks” about legendary player Zinedine Zidane, is under investigation for sexual harassment allegations.
French Rugby Federation President and World Rugby vice-chair Bernard Laporte has temporarily stood down from his roles having been convicted of corruption, bribery and influence peddling charges.
He continues to protest is innocence and has vowed to appeal.