estrepublicain.fr
This is a case that will shake the world of handball. The president of the National Handball League Bruno Martini has been given a one-year suspended prison sentence, his lawyer Me Elie Dottelonde said.
During an appearance hearing on prior admission of guilt, the current president of the National Handball League (NHL) also admitted to the recording of child pornography, according to the lawyer.
This sanction also includes a €2,500 fine and a 5-year ban on carrying out an activity involving contact with minors, according to the council.
“We are trying to pass him off as a monster, but the prosecutor, by proposing a CRPC, has shown that he considers that Mr. Martini does not represent a danger” nor that he would be “crashed”, underlined Me Dottelonde, noting that no obligation of care had been pronounced.
Mr. Martini was also suspected of attempted sexual abuse but these facts were not held against him, insisted Mr. Dottelonde.
In view of the photos of the minor with whom he was in contact on Snapchat, “he could not have known that the minor was under fifteen,” said the lawyer. The League (NHL) indicated in a press release “that a possible conviction would lead by right to an impossibility of exercising the function” of president.
The National Handball League awaits his resignation
The leaders of the National Handball League (NHL) “await the probable and desirable resignation” of President Bruno Martini, former goalkeeper of the France team accused of corruption of a minor and recording of child pornography images, indicated the NHL Wednesday in a statement.
“If this is not the case as soon as possible, they are collectively ready to return their mandate to lead to the organization of new elections and the end of the President’s functions”, they added. An elective general meeting has already been scheduled for March 7 “as provided for in the statutes of the institution”, specifies the press release.