THE FRENCH RUGBY FEDERATION has been indicted for manslaughter following the tragic death of a 17-year-old player who perished during a training camp.
Medhi Narjissi while taking part in a recovery session organised by France’s Under-18s on a beach considered dangerous off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa.
The French Rugby Federation has been indicted for manslaughter after the death of a 17-year-old player Credit: AFP – Getty
Medhi Narjissi disappeared at sea in 2024 while on a training camp with France’s Under-18s Credit: AFP
According to Le Parisien , the Federation FFR was charged and its lawyer Mathias Chichportich described the decision as “contestable in law”.
Chichportich stated: “We take note of the decision to indict the FFR as a legal person.
“This is an intermediate step in the proceedings that in no way constitutes a conviction.
“The decision to have organised a recovery bath in a dangerous place for swimming is a serious fault but it is in no way attributable to the Federation.
“If it is legitimate that the suffering of the Narjissi family leads it to crystallise its anger against the institution, the criminal liability of the FFR cannot be incurred.
“This decision is therefore contestable in law. The FFR will continue, as it has done from the beginning, to cooperate fully with the justice system, in compliance with the procedure.”
Following Narjissi’s death, the U18s’ former physical trainer Robin Ladauge was dismissed in 2025 and then manager Stephane Cambos was suspended for two years.
The teenage center had been playing in a five-team tournament involving South Africa, , Georgia and prior to the incident.
And an investigation by the FFR found Narjissi’s disappearance was partly caused by poor organisation.
The report said warning signs on the beach were either ignored or missed and supervision of the session was “poorly controlled”.
A statement from the FFR said two years ago: “The decision to organise a recovery session in the water on Dias Beach was taken without considering the dangerousness of the site, in particular rip currents, waves and rocks.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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