Rocky Elsom Claims French Legal Battle Hinders Rugby Career

Former Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom has stated that his ongoing legal battles in France have negatively impacted his reputation and ability to secure employment within the rugby world. Elsom, 43, maintains his innocence regarding his conviction and two-year prison sentence for misusing corporate assets while managing the French rugby club Narbonne.

Elsom was initially handed a five-year sentence, but a retrial in 2025 led to the dismissal of forgery charges and a reduced sentence of two years for the misuse of corporate assets. He told Ben Fordham on 2GB on Thursday that the consequences have extended beyond legal proceedings and affected his professional prospects in rugby.

“Well, for ten years, this rumour had been going on of, you know, a police investigation and misappropriation, and I had no mechanism to defend it,” Elsom said. “Now I do.”

He claims that French media reports have kept allegations in the public eye long after his departure from Narbonne, overshadowing his tenure as club administrator. Elsom pointed to his record of consecutive years of profit and on-field success at the club, arguing that these achievements are now overshadowed by the legal case.

Elsom suggested that those pursuing the case intended to prevent him from working in rugby again. He presented documents during the interview that he claims contradict the prosecution's assertions about Narbonne's financial state upon his departure. According to Elsom, financial reports filed during and after his time at the club show Narbonne was in its strongest financial position in years when he left, with its financial standing improved by at least €3,000,000 (approximately A$4.8 million) compared to when he first took over.

“And at very least, €3,000,000 [A$4,832,700] better than when I first received the club,” he stated. “Now you can't argue with those, so why is there still a charge? And this is my question to the prosecutor. Why is there still the potential charge of asset abuse when these documents show that?”

Elsom acquired an equity stake in Narbonne in 2011 and eventually bought out other investors, holding 97 percent of the club for three years before leaving in July 2016. Narbonne was relegated from France's second division and later entered liquidation in 2018, two years after Elsom's exit.

Prosecutors contended that decisions made during Elsom's leadership placed the club under severe financial strain, contributing to its eventual collapse. Elsom disputes this conclusion and denies any connection between his actions and the club's downfall. He also suggested that the club's on-field performance after his departure contributed to its later financial difficulties.

Elsom reiterated his assertion that he was not notified of the original trial, which proceeded in his absence in October 2024. “I think the the big thing to point out is they went to great lengths to hide this trial,” he said. “The trial is largely unlawful because of that.” He believes the alleged failure to notify him remains a critical, unresolved issue.

When asked directly if he had misused corporate funds or assets, Elsom responded, “No.” He also disputed the basis of the forgery allegations, which were subsequently dismissed. “So the forgery didn't meet the definition of forgery,” he explained. “I signed my name on the date. End of story, of course, they withdrew it. But that was for the headlines.”

Elsom speculated that his early success at Narbonne may have caused friction with individuals previously involved in the club's management. He noted that former stakeholders took a step back upon his arrival, given the club's poor financial state and his young age, but that his team broke club records that season.

An outstanding arrest warrant continues to restrict his movements, and Elsom confirmed he would be arrested if he traveled to the European Union. He has previously expressed a willingness to return to France to present his case, provided he could do so without facing immediate imprisonment while awaiting his appeal.

Gerard Bertrand, a French winemaker and former president of Narbonne who was involved with the club during Elsom's tenure, has publicly supported Elsom. Bertrand has disputed suggestions that Elsom was responsible for the club's financial collapse after his departure, stating that a proposed investment after relegation could have saved the club, but the board opted for bankruptcy.

Elsom stated he still seeks answers regarding the handling of the original legal proceedings. “I wanna hear why he went to such great lengths to keep the arrest warrant and the existence of the trial from me before the trial,” he said of the prosecutor, adding, “I've got no personal issue with him, so why did he think that was a good idea?”

The Daily Mail has contacted Racing Club Narbonne for comment. Despite the ongoing appeal, Elsom expressed optimism about his future, stating, “Well, like I said, you don't know how things are going to turn out, I wouldn't have chosen this way, but, you know, something good comes from it.”