Bernard Lapasset

Bernard Lapasset ONZM (born 20 October 1947) is a French rugby administrator who was Chairman of the World Rugby from 2008 to 2016. He previously served as President of the French Federation of Rugby Union from 1991 to May 2008, when Pierre Camou, then Vice-President took over. He is also vice-chairman of the National Olympic Committee.

Bernard Lapasset
Chairman of the International Rugby Board
In office
1 January 2008 – 30 June 2016
Preceded bySyd Millar
Succeeded byBill Beaumont
President of the French Rugby Federation
In office
14 December 1991 – 12 July 2008
Preceded byAlbert Ferrasse
Succeeded byPierre Camou
Personal details
Born (1947-10-20) 20 October 1947
Tarbes, France

Lapasset was born in Tarbes, Hautes-Pyrénées.

He played a critical role in France winning the hosting rights to the 2007 Rugby World Cup and its organisation and the introduction of rugby sevens into the Olympics for 2016.[1]

Biography

He is married and has three children. Law degree and office, he was Director of Customs (General Directorate of Customs and Excise.) before embarking on a career in rugby administration.

As a player of rugby, he is junior champion of France Agen Reichel with the U.S. in 1967 and Champion of France with the U.S. Customs Corporate Paris. As leader, he is chairman of the regional rugby in Ile-de-France from 1988 to 1992, then secretary general of the French Rugby Federation in 1991.

In 2003, he helped obtain for France, the organization of the World Cup Rugby 2007. Since 2004, he was president of ILM 2007 World Cup.[2]

On 19 October 2007 he was elected president of the IRB and thus succeeded Syd Millar. He served two terms and was succeeded by Englishman Bill Beaumont on 1 July 2016.

Lapasset is an Officer of the Legion of Honour and co-chairman of France Friendship Fund New Zealand. In the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed an honorary Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to France–New Zealand relations.[3]

He's also the co-chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games


Controversy

The 1993 French Rugby Union Championship was won by Castres who beat Grenoble 14-11 in the final, in a match decided by an irregular try accorded by the referee.[4]

A try of Olivier Brouzet is denied to Grenoble[5] and the decisive try by Gary Whetton was awarded by the referee, Daniel Salles, when in fact the defender Franck Hueber from Grenoble touched down the ball first in his try zone. This error gave the title to Castres.

Daniel Salles admitted the error 13 years later.[6]

Jacques Fouroux conflict with the Federation cry out conspiracy.[7]

References
  1. "Bernard Lapasset Elected IRB Chairman". Sportbusiness.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2012.
  2. "Exclusive Bernard Lapasset Interview Part 2: My Hopes and Fears for the Game". Frenchrugbyclub.com. 29 October 2008.
  3. "Queen's Birthday honours list 2006". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 5 June 2006. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  4. "Gerry Thornley: Grenoble's Jackman fast becoming one of top Irish coaches". irishtimes. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  5. "Combien de fois Bayonne s'est imposé dans la capitale ?". www.rugbyrama.fr. Midi olympique. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  6. "Daniel Salles à propos de Castres-Grenoble en 1993 : " Je me suis trompé "". sudouest. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  7. "Top 14: Toulon-Castres, souviens-toi, il y a vingt ans..." www.lepoint.fr. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.