Rocky Elsom sentenced to two years prison in France for misuse of funds

Rocky Elsom, the former captain of Australia's Wallabies rugby team, has been sentenced to two years in prison by a French court for misusing corporate funds during his presidency at Narbonne rugby club from 2015 to 2016. In addition to the prison sentence, he has been fined 100,000 euros, with half of that suspended, and ordered to pay 240,000 euros in compensation to the club's liquidator. Elsom did not attend the trial and reportedly fled to Ireland after an international arrest warrant was issued against him following a previous five-year sentence for similar charges in 2024. His lawyer announced plans to appeal the conviction, citing procedural issues and evidence that could lead to Elsom's acquittal. Elsom has consistently denied wrongdoing and claims he has been scapegoated for the club's subsequent financial mismanagement. The case reflects ongoing concerns about financial integrity in sports administration, particularly in rugby.