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“I have little more information on the evidence that was presented in the hearing [other] than [what] is in the public domain. So, I can only address the allegations that have been raised publicly.
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“I ask the public to consider the legitimacy of any process that does not allow for the involvement of the person being prosecuted.
“I have been contactable via my email address and phone number, yet it appears the court process was fast-tracked after an article appeared recently in The Sunday Times. This article gave my location, occupation and upcoming scheduled events.
“I have not been questioned in this matter and the lengthy process seems to have deliberately excluded me from giving evidence.”
Elsom defended his tenure at the club, from 2013-16, saying that Narbonne had been successful on and off the field, recording solid profits and strong sporting results.
Under his stewardship, he said, Narbonne had stayed in France’s second division – the Pro D2 – but had been relegated soon after his departure.
Elsom said he believed he had been “scapegoated” for the mismanagement of the club after he left.
Elsom defended his financial record at the club, saying it had recorded profits of €358,000 in season 2013-14, €400,000 in 2014-15 and a loss of €350,000 in 2015-16.
He also pointed to a number of records the club had secured under his leadership, including the most wins in a season, the only recorded undefeated home season and the highest annual attendance for a Pro D2 season.