New Zealand Rugby is awaiting the verdict of a corruption trial involving the founder of the All Blacks jersey sponsor.
French billionaire Mohed Altrad – founder of building supplies company Altrad Group and owner of Top 14 club Montpellier – is one of five defendants, including World Rugby vice chairman Bernard Laporte, facing a range of corruption charges at a high-profile trial in France relating to their governance of rugby.
Altrad Group has been the front jersey sponsor for the All Blacks, Black Ferns and other national rugby sides since the start of this year following a six-year deal announced last August worth over $120 million. The deal also reportedly includes player agreements and fixtures in Montpellier.
NZR said it is aware of the legal proceedings but declined to comment when approached by the Herald.
According to reports, Altrad is accused of influence peddling, active corruption and abuse of corporate assets. Laporte is reportedly accused of passive corruption, passive influence peddling, illegal taking of interests, breach of trust and concealment of abuse of corporate assets.