Former Australia rugby union captain Rocky Elsom has been sentenced to two years in prison after a French court found him guilty of misusing corporate assets during his tenure as president of French club Narbonne. The 42-year-old, who has been convicted in absentia, was also fined 100,000 euros (£84,141), with half of the sum suspended.
An international arrest warrant has been issued for Elsom, whose whereabouts remain unknown. The former Wallabies star, who made 75 appearances for Australia and led the team between 2009 and 2011, had initially received a five-year prison sentence in October 2024. However, following an appeal, he was retried, and the forgery charges from the initial case were dropped. Despite this, the court upheld his conviction for financial misconduct.
Elsom, who took over Narbonne in 2015-16, has long denied any wrongdoing. The once-thriving club, which won the French rugby championship twice and finished runner-up three times, went into liquidation in 2018 and now competes in the third-tier Federale league.
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The French prosecutor had pushed for a harsher penalty, requesting a three-year sentence and a hefty 630,000-euro (£529,411) fine. Although the final ruling reduced his jail term, Elsom has been ordered to pay 219,760 euros (£184,904) in compensation to Narbonne’s liquidator.
Beyond his off-field troubles, Elsom remains a celebrated figure in rugby. He played a crucial role in Leinster’s historic 2009 Heineken Cup victory alongside Irish legends Johnny Sexton and Brian O’Driscoll. However, his legacy has been tainted by this legal battle, which has left a cloud over his post-playing career.
Elsom was last reported to be living in Ireland in August 2024 but reportedly fled the country after the initial arrest warrant was issued. As international authorities search for the former Wallabies captain, the case has raised serious questions about financial transparency in sports management.
With the rugby world watching closely, Elsom’s next move could define how this dramatic chapter unfolds.
