By Paris Normandie has reported that on Tuesday the police conducted a search of FC Rouen’s headquarters as well as the home of their president Charles Maarek in relation to the suspicion that there has been an abuse of corporate assets.
According to sources speaking to the paper, the police were interested in sponsorship agreements allegedly signed by Maarek but which did not result in the payment of the promised money.
According to the investigative journalist Roman Molina, Maarek had been placed into police custody and was later released. However, this is a point that Paris Normandie and Maarek contest.
Paris Normandie stated that despite the search of the club and his personal premises, Maarek was never under police custody, which was confirmed to them by the president in an interview this morning. Maarek was quoted as saying, “As you can see I am not in police custody.”
Troubled season for Rouen
On the field, Rouen have had a troubled season and there has been more than murmuring discontent at the leadership of their president. A points deduction in the league and outrage over the cost of tickets did little to build on the goodwill of a Coupe de France run that saw the third-division side reach the quarter-finals.
