Francis Didier, the former president of the French Karate Federation and a member of the executive boards of both the World and European Karate Federations, has admitted to parts of the financial and administrative allegations against him. In the wake of these admissions, Bruno Verfaillie, who had assumed the presidency of the French federation only a few months ago after a disputed election, announced his resignation.

The controversy deepened as the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) refused to recognize the election, while Sports Minister Marie Barsacq was summoned twice to the Senate to explain the federation’s affairs. Legal complaints and investigations remain under way in France’s sporting and judicial institutions.

In spite of this, Antonio Espinós, who has presided over the European Karate Federation since 1997 and the World Karate Federation since 1998, moved to appoint Verfaillie to the executive board of the continental body. The decision was seen not only as an affront to the crisis unfolding in France but also as a reminder that Espinós, true to form, continues to impose his authority and ensure that the first and last word in karate belongs to him.

What is clear is that the fall of Francis Didier and his protégé Bruno Verfaillie does not dismantle the entrenched network of influence he built. Didier presided over the French Karate Federation for six terms, and although he no longer stands at the top, key figures from his inner circle remain in positions of control.

Didier’s reign of corruption remains untouched

Among them is Philippe Dherbecourt, widely seen as instrumental in many of the irregularities, who also acted as a visible supporter of Verfaillie during the last election campaign. His role now raises renewed alarm. The decision to place responsibility for the upcoming elections in the hands of Dherbecourt, who served as secretary general throughout Didier’s tenure, has deepened fears that the same system will continue under a different face.

Amid escalating concerns, the French National Olympic and Sports Committee has taken the unprecedented step of directly overseeing the election process, underscoring its lack of confidence in the federation’s ability to manage it impartially. At the same time, the Ministry of Sports has launched a targeted investigation into the financial and administrative misconduct that continues to shadow the karate federation, signaling that authorities are determined to hold those responsible accountable.

Francis Didier had previously faced multiple financial allegations in 2017, at a time when he held a seat on the executive board of the World Karate Federation and wielded considerable influence at the highest levels of the organization. He left the French Karate Federation in 2024 with debts totaling €1.35 million, despite the federation reporting revenues of €11.7 million that same year and receiving €1.122 million in government funding.

Verfailli’s empty promises failed

After handing the federation over to Bruno Verfaillie, Didier moved to a consultancy role. Verfaillie initially attempted to keep the federation’s finances opaque, but persistent scrutiny from Sandrine Barbarin, lawyer and elected director of the French Karate Federation, eventually made it impossible to conceal the entrenched corruption inherited from his predecessor.

It remains unclear how the federation’s substantial revenues and events, including Karate 1 Paris, were spent. However, Didier’s admissions in a letter to Raphaele Sablayrolles Terquem reveal part of the irregularities. The letter, published here in full, shows his acknowledgment of irregularities in campaign financing, federation expenditures, and Verfaillie’s involvement.

Letter from Francis Didier to Raphaele Sablayrolles Terquem (translated):

Dear Madam,

There are moments when silence becomes a form of surrender. And you know I am not one to surrender. For several weeks, legitimate questions have been raised regarding Mr. Bruno Verfaillie’s candidacy, including the support he received and how his campaign was conducted. I will not evade: yes, conversations took place. Yes, directions were chosen. And yes, I participated—not in secret, but with the belief, perhaps overly confident, that we were ensuring necessary continuity.

Today, however, I see the process with greater clarity. What we sought to preserve, we may have frozen. What we sought to protect, we may have imprisoned. And what we sought to anticipate, we may have imposed.

I am not here to accuse or apologize. I am here to say that the federation should not be protected by shortcuts tomorrow. The federation thrives on debate, dissent, and diverse voices. If we fell short in this regard, it was not from weakness but from perceived necessity.

You have raised issues with Mr. Verfaillie regarding discrepancies or weaknesses in the federation’s budget controls. You and others have also questioned the financing of his campaign for the presidency.

He should have answered for himself, as he was fully aware of how everything was organized. In the spirit of transparency, I can clarify some points. For example:

The Japanese training sessions—Kagawa, Naka, and Murakami—each lasting a week across France, were in fact used to support Verfaillie’s campaign. At the end of each, apprentices, instructors, and club managers were gathered by Jean-Pierre Laurato to endorse Verfaillie’s candidacy.

An expert session (Laurato/Valera/Biliki) in Department 95 (Pontoise) brought together 450 trainees for the same purpose, with Verfaillie present and active.

Historical meetings and conferences costing over €120,000 were organized by the federation, with Verfaillie attending to broaden the audience for his campaign.

Campaign materials, including leaflets and brochures, were produced mostly by volunteers, but their distribution was directly funded by the federation, including postage paid via BNP bank card.

The official magazine, Karate, was heavily used by Verfaillie to promote his campaign through articles and images, with the knowledge of Gilles Chardeau.

Reimbursements for travel, hotels, meals, and fees within the sports commission were paid by the federation. Verfaillie received nearly €15,000 net for the 2023/2024 season in fixed fees and travel costs, with a federation-issued credit card covering additional expenses.

Ultimately, Verfaillie cannot honestly claim ‘it wasn’t me, it was the previous team,’ as he was fully part of the system.

Should you have further questions or require additional explanations, I remain at your disposal and trust you will receive this letter appropriately.

Respectfully,

Yours sincerely,

Francis Didier