The shady manner in which France robbed South Africa of the hosting rights for the 2023 World Cup will not cloud the Springboks’ title defence, writes MARK KEOHANE.
As the world eagerly awaits the opening match of the tournament between Les Bleus and the All Blacks in Paris on Friday, Keohane, writing for TimesLIVE, reminds the public of the circumstances surrounding the hosts’ successful bid.
Despite an independent committee’s 18-month evaluation that recommended SA as the 2023 hosts, Bernard Laporte – then French Rugby Federation president – seemingly disregarded the recommendation, engaging in a globe-trotting campaign to secure votes.
This “skullduggery”, writes Keohane, directly contradicted the committee’s purpose, designed to prevent corruption and political agendas.
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When the final vote took place, France emerged as unanimous winners, with questionable decisions such as Africa Rugby supporting them and Japan switching allegiance from South Africa to France.
“France will be a wonderful host. It is a glorious country to visit [and] the euphoria during and after the tournament will be justified,” Keohane writes.
“I have never disputed the quality of the event in France. My criticism of France being named hosts has never had anything to do with France, but with the way World Rugby’s elected officials were so easily seduced when Laporte’s jet landed.
“Friday’s tournament opener would have been South Africa against Scotland at the Cape Town Stadium, but instead it is France against the All Blacks at the Stade de France in St Denis, Paris.
“France, you may have stolen South Africa’s right to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but you won’t get to steal the actual World Cup title.”
Photo: CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP
