November 24 – The president of French League 2 club Nimes has quit following allegations of matchfixing in the latest scandal to rock French football. Jean-Marc Conrad, who has led the ‘Crocodiles’ since April, is under formal investigation along with Caen chairman Jean-Francois Fortin and four others on suspicion of fixing the result of a fixture between their clubs.
“I have taken the decision to resign from my functions as president of Nimes,” Conrad said in a statement. “This decision, which was not forced, is intended to protect the interests of my club.
“I will thus be able to concentrate all my strength and energy in defending myself against these accusations which are as unfair as they are unfounded.”
The game in question, a 1-1 draw on May 13, kept Nimes in Ligue 2 while virtually securing promotion for Caen. Fortin has also proclaimed his innocence but both clubs could be expelled from their respective divisions if the allegations are proved.
Last week police arrested Olympique Marseille president Vincent Labrun and general manager Philip Perez at their homes to question them over alleged corruption and kick backs involving multi-million Euro transfer deals.