Former France captain Abdel Benazzi is one of three candidates put forward to succeed Bill Beaumont as chairman of World Rugby.
The 56-year-old, who was born in Morocco, played 78 times for France between 1990 and 2001, appearing in three World Cups.
He has been “nominated by France and seconded by South Africa”, according to the statement but he will face opposition from the Italian Andrea Rinaldo and Australia’s Brett Robinson.
They have been proposed by their national federations and seconded by Ireland and England respectively.
Benazzi, who nearly knocked the Springboks out of their own World Cup in the 1995 semi-finals, is running on a platform of global expansion.
According to a report by the BBC, Benazzi argues that rugby faces an “existential crisis” due to financial instability in even well-established federations.
His platform also includes growing the sport through partnerships between established rugby nations and emerging regions, utilizing modified formats like sevens to introduce rugby to new audiences. Benazzi is open to Qatar hosting matches of the upcoming Rugby Nations Championship but insists on preserving rugby’s values.
Robinson, who captained the Brumbies and played 16 Tests for Australia, is already on the World Rugby executive board and is the favourite to take over from Beaumont who has completed his two terms in the role.
Rinaldo, a professor of hydrology and water resources who wants to use more science in rugby, is also a former international having won four caps for Italy.
The vote will take place on November 14, at the same time as the vote on the standardisation of new rules, including the 20-minute red card which has been strongly pushed by New Zealand and Australia but opposed by the French.
Other rules, such as the 30-second limit for scrums and lineouts will also be introduced.
© Agence France-Presse
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