The French National Karate Federation, now led by Bruno Verfaillie, is on the verge of financial bankruptcy. Legal procedures to manage the crisis are currently in progress.

Concerns are mounting among staff members, many of whom fear they may not receive their salaries in the coming months. According to information obtained by Sportsin, six out of the federation’s 62 employees have resigned so far. Several of these departures were carried out through a “rupture conventionnelle,” a negotiated exit agreement in which compensation is provided in exchange for leaving.

Among those who left is Mario Grumic, Director of Services and longtime right-hand man to former president Francis Didier, who was reportedly central to many of the federation’s internal operations. According to unconfirmed reports, Grumic received a severance package of €80,000. The federation has not publicly clarified the matter, and Sportsin cannot confirm or deny the claim. Another notable departure includes Veronique Bourban, Director of the Sports Commission.

Bruno Verfaillie

In the 2023–24 fiscal year, the federation collected €37 from each of its 249,731 members. Despite this, it reported a net loss of approximately €1.35 million. During that period, when Francis Didier was still in office, the federation’s total revenue reached €11.7 million. This figure included €1.122 million in public funding from the French government.

In the previous fiscal year, 2022–23, the federation had already recorded a net loss of €240,000. The bulk of the excess spending was listed under the vague category of “Other purchases and external expenses,” with no detailed clarification provided.

In response to the worsening financial situation, Bruno Verfaillie has scheduled a 90-minute board meeting for the beginning of August to address the crisis. Many observers question whether a meaningful recovery plan can realistically be developed in such a short timeframe.

Premier League Paris

France’s financial bankruptcy procedure consists of four official stages. In the first stage, the statutory auditor submitted a report to Verfaillie outlining serious financial risks that threaten the federation’s survival. Verfaillie was given 15 days to submit a recovery plan.

In the second stage, the auditor deemed his response inadequate and requested that the board of directors be convened. That meeting is now scheduled for August, where a new rescue plan is expected to be proposed.

If the response remains unsatisfactory, the process will move to a third stage that requires Verfaillie to summon a general assembly. That assembly will be responsible for drafting and adopting a recovery plan.

If all efforts fail, the fourth and final stage involves a court review. A judge will decide whether the French Karate Federation can be saved. At that point, the court may either approve a rehabilitation plan or formally declare bankruptcy.

Francis Didier (L)  Antonio Espinos (R)

Much of the current turmoil dates back to last year’s disputed presidential election between Gilles Cherdieu and Bruno Verfaillie, held between December 5 and 12. Francis Didier, seen as central to the ongoing crisis, supported Verfaillie, who ultimately won the election.

However, the French National Olympic and Sports Committee refused to recognize the result during a meeting held on February 11, 2025, at its headquarters in Paris.

Despite the committee’s rejection, Verfaillie was later appointed to the Executive Board of the European Karate Federation, which is presided over by Antonio Espinós. This appointment is widely viewed as a direct challenge to the French National Olympic Committee.

In response to the growing scandal, French Minister of Sports Marie Barsacq has been summoned twice before the Senate to explain what is happening inside the French National Karate Federation.