This case shakes the handball world.
The former world-class goalkeeper and current president of the French league, Bruno Martini (52), is being investigated on suspicion of abusing minors and possessing child pornography recordings. Martini, who played for HC Wuppertal and THW Kiel in the German Bundesliga, is said to have already confessed.
Martini was arrested on Monday. This was reported by the “France Info” station on Wednesday. He admitted the allegations and agreed to a one-year suspended sentence.
France’s Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra (44) also commented on the handball scandal. She wrote on Twitter: “Like everyone else this morning, I am deeply shocked by this information that the judiciary has picked up.”
The instances of handball had mobilized quickly and would discuss the situation. The French handball association distanced itself from the league president and has now initiated disciplinary proceedings.
Martini in 2000 at the European Handball Championship
He states: “The Handball Federation was amazed to learn today of the extremely serious facts accused and apparently admitted by Bruno Martini, President of the Ligue Nationale de Handball, which have no place in sport.” Martini called for the resignation of all his offices in view of the allegations and the role model function of an elected representative.
Bruno Martini has so far been considered an icon of his sport. With the national team (202 international matches) he was world champion twice (1995, 2001). He took part in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games. In the Bundesliga he played for HC Wuppertal (1999-2000).
Handball-Titan Germany despairs of France goalkeeper
After the end of his career in 2009, the goalkeeper celebrated a comeback in the same year as a replacement for the injured Andreas Palicka (36) and became German champion with THW Kiel. Martini also won the Champions League title in 2003 with top French club Montpellier HB.