Toulouse Rugby Club Faces Breach of Trust Investigation in Jaminet Transfer
Toulouse, France – The Toulouse public prosecutor’s office has launched a preliminary investigation into Stade Toulouse for breach of trust related to the 2022 transfer of fullback Melvyn Jaminet from Perpignan, prosecutor david Charmatz confirmed Monday. The investigation stems from concerns over the financial arrangements surrounding the transfer and follows a report submitted by Samuel Gauthier, the National Rugby League’s (LNR) salary-cap manager.
The inquiry, led by the financial brigade of the Organized and Specialized Crime Division (DCOS) within the Interdepartmental Directorate of the National Police (DIPN), is currently focused on publicly available data and Gauthier’s report.
The transfer raised questions after Jaminet personally secured a loan to cover a €450,000 release clause from Perpignan,enabling Toulouse to avoid including the sum in their payroll calculations. While an agreement was reached to reimburse Jaminet this past April, the initial delay in repayment prompted scrutiny.
This investigation occurs alongside a separate disciplinary hearing scheduled for December 8th before the French rugby disciplinary and regulatory committee. Stade Toulouse is required to explain financial transactions involving the company Pacific Heart, related to a planned internship and amiable match in Fiji. the LNR’s financial oversight body, known as the A2R, has reportedly questioned the veracity of submitted documentation regarding these funds, suspecting potential regulatory violations.
Potential sanctions from the disciplinary committee range from fines to point deductions, and even the forfeiture of titles. Clubs have the right to appeal decisions to the French Rugby Federation (FFR) appeals commission, the CNOSF, and ultimately, the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
