Drama off the pitch for France’s rugby ace, Antoine Dupont! Days before their showdown at the Millennium Stadium, he’s caught up in a storm stirred by French media. Reports from L’Equipe claim Dupont and teammate Anthony Jelonch received hefty payouts through fake sponsorships to dodge salary cap rules in France’s Top 14 league.
The heart of the matter? Dupont allegedly received £1.5 million over nearly a decade from a company named 3S-Alyzia, supposedly for image rights and ads that are “virtually non-existent.” But L’Equipe argues there’s no public evidence to match these sky-high payments.
Toulouse, where Dupont plays, is no stranger to salary cap controversies. They were penalised last year for similar breaches, and now this revelation could spark a fresh investigation. Dupont’s lawyer, however, is on the defensive, presenting photos and documents to validate his client’s engagements.
With the French team eyeing another Six Nations title, Dupont remains focused on the game, stating after a win against Ireland that they are dreaming big before heading to Cardiff. As France prepares to face Wales, all eyes are on Dupont, both on and off the field. Will this distraction derail their campaign, or will it fuel their fire to triumph against Wales? Stay tuned!