Suspended for a month by the French Ski Federation, following her legal conviction, Julia Simon is far from being at the end of her sentences.
It’s an important moment in the Julia Simon soap opera, but far from being the epilogue. Thursday evening, the disciplinary commission of the French Ski Federation (FFS) delivered its verdict concerning the tricolor biathlete.
Sentenced by the Albertville criminal court (three months suspended prison sentence and 15,000 euros fine), found guilty of theft and fraud for having made online purchases with the bank card of her teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, the biathlete from Les Saisies was suspended for 6 months, including 5 months suspended. Added to this is a 30,000 euro fine, including 15,000 euros suspended.
This sanction is presented as “severe”
by the FFS, which makes some people cringe. As the season only resumes in three weeks, Julia Simon will “only” miss the last preparation camp and the first stage of the World Cup, in Östersund. She remains selectable for the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games next February.
Another sanction for Julia Simon?
End of story, then? Not really. After this verdict from the disciplinary commission, Skichrono takes stock of the other aspects of the case, which are all threats to Julia Simon.
On a disciplinary level, we must not forget that the Biathlon Integrity Unit (BIU) indicated that it intended to take an interest in this dispute between the two French athletes.
Julia Simon faces international sanctionsince a “Such behavior may fall under the code of integrity as acts likely to harm the image or reputation of sport.” Furthermore, Customs, which employs Julia Simon on a fixed-term contract with the status of a high-level athlete, could also react to this conviction.
And then? It will also be necessary to measure the consequences of this affair within the Bleues group, especially after the suffering mentioned by Justine Braisaz-Bouchet during the hearing. We will also have to see what reception the French public reserves for Julia Simon during the Grand-Bornand stage (December 18-21).
