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Blanco to step down as LNR president

Monday 23rd June 2008

Taking a step back: Serge Blanco

After tens years as president of the French National Rugby League, Serge Blanco announced on Monday that he will not be standing for reelection.

The news comes as a shock since Blanco, an emblematic figure in French rugby, has held the League's presidency since it's inception ten years ago.

The former Biarritz and France full-back has cited the need to more commit time to his private enterprises and 'new adventures' as the reasons for his decision.

The LNR is now faced with the difficult task of replacing the man who changed the face of French rugby in the professional era.

Blanco released a statement explaining the unexpected turn of events.

"I'm very proud of all that we have achieved [in the last ten years]," read the statement.

"Today, I'm faced with three possibilities and I'm obliged to make a choice: ask for a new four-year mandate at the head of the League, stand for the presidency of the French Rugby Federation or to do neither and take a step back. After much thought, I've chosen the last option.

"A number of reasons have led me to this decision but the most important is that on the eve of my fiftieth birthday, I've realised that I need to devote more time to my personal companies.

"To that I add the fact that I aspire to experience new challenges and passions, other new adventures that are inaccessible to me due to a lack of time.

"That does not mean that I want to walk away from the world of rugby and I intend to contribute more than my current position at the LNR allows me to the advancement of the club close to my heart, Biarritz Olympique."