Raided.

Police have conducted raids today at the French rugby federation headquarters amid an investigation into an alleged conflict of interest involving federation president Bernard Laporte.

A report by The Associated Press states that a person with direct knowledge of the investigation, told them that the national financial prosecutor’s office ordered the police searches at the national centre of rugby in Marcoussis where the France squad is preparing for the Six Nations.

The person also claims that Laporte’s place of residence was raided. The raid is said to be in relation to accusations against Laporte that he pressured the French federation’s appeals board to reduce sanctions against Montpellier, which is owned by his close friend, Mohad Altrad.

Montpellier’s €70,000 fine was reduced to €20,000 and a one-game stadium ban cancelled after Laporte’s intercession. Prosecutors have now decided to open a formal investigation that could lead to Laporte being handed preliminary charges.

You can read the full report on ESPN here.