The former goalkeeper of the French handball team, double world champion, resigned as president of the National Handball League (NHL) after his conviction.
Bruno Martini was sentenced to a suspended sentence of twelve months in prison and a fine of 2,500 euros for corruption of minors and recording of child pornography images. This sanction, validated by a judge of the Paris court during an appearance hearing on prior acknowledgment of guilt (CRPC), also includes a five-year ban on carrying out an activity involving contact with minors.
Following this conviction, the ex-international resigned as president of the NHL. with immediate effect “Said the sports body whose leaders had said” wait for the resignation of Bruno Martini even before the legal outcome.
Targeted by an investigation since June 2020 after the complaint of a 13-year-old boy, Bruno Martini, 52, was arrested on Monday in Paris and placed in police custody, according to a source familiar with the matter. At this stage, the investigators have not known of other victims, apart from the young teenager, a source familiar with the matter added. ” Like everyone morning, I am deeply shocked “Reacted the Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra on Twitter. “ I obviously have a very moved thought for the boy and his family “.
Major French handball player
Bruno Martini was the goalkeeper of the Blues world champions in 1995, the first major title of the French hand. Again world champion in 2001, his rich career as a player led him to the biggest French and European clubs. With Montpellier, a club in the south of France, he won the Champions League in 2003.
At the head of a group of investors, he bought Paris handball in 2010, occupying the position of general manager for more than ten years, including after its acquisition in 2012 by Qatar Sports Authority. He left his post at the start of 2021, announcing in the wake of joining one of the biggest teams in eSport, the Vitality team, as general manager, a function which he gave up last November, after his election as president of the NHL.
(With AFP)