Top French Petanque Players Accused in Major Match-Fixing Scandal

French prosecutors have charged multiple players and officials in a match-fixing scandal involving the 2025 Masters de Pétanque. The scandal has sent shockwaves through the pétanque community, a sport known for its low-key nature.

Among those charged are top players Dylan Rocher and Henri Lacroix, who are recognized as some of the sport’s most talented and decorated players. The allegations include match-fixing, money-laundering, and organized fraud. Each of the people named in the probe could potentially be sent behind bars for up to five years and face a six-figure fine.

Dylan Rocher and Henri Lacroix are specifically accused of helping France 2 lose a game against Levallois-Perret, which it should have won. The loss was tied to a €13,000 bet on the underdog, with the presumably weaker team winning the game 13-4. According to investigators, the money was staked on Levallois-Perret and then fetched a considerable payout to the tune of €61,000.