The French financial prosecution service has searched the headquarters of the French Tennis Federation, as well as the home of its President, Jean Gachassin. Last night French newspaper Le Monde, alongside AFP, reported that the search was part of an investigation into property embezzlement and ‘influence trafficking’ launched on 19 March by the country’s financial prosecution service.

‘The national financial prosecutor, assisted by the Central Office for the Fight against Corruption and Financial and Tax Offences [OCLCIFF], today led several searches at the headquarters of the French Tennis Federation, the offices of the company Havas Voyages La Dépêche in Tarbes, and the home of the President of the FFT,’ read a statement from thef financial prosecutor.

According to the statement, the investigation was triggered ‘following a report by the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, relating in particular to the existence of an illicit system of reselling tickets for the French Open tournament, as well as the conditions surrounding the award of renovation contracts for the expansion of the Roland Garros stadium.’