the FFR investigation denounces the numerous negligence of the staff and serious failings – Libération

The report is damning for the staff of the French under-18 rugby team. This Thursday, September 12, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) delivered the conclusions of its internal investigation concerning the tragic disappearance of Medhi Narjissi, young player from Stade Toulousain, which occurred on August 7 in South Africa. The trip of the French men’s U18 team to the country was organized by the FFR during the International Series competition. The young man was then swept away by the waves off the Cape of Good Hope while he was carrying out a recovery session with his teammates. His body has still not been found.

In this report, the federation – which explains having heard “all members of the staff present on site as well as some players” – reveals several serious failings in the organization and supervision of this recovery session. “The decision to organize a recovery session in the water on Dias Beach was taken without considering the dangerousness of the site”immediately points out the FFR. The body also questions the choice of this location, “while the risks linked to Dias Beach could have been perceived at least by a technical sports advisor”.

Risks that were “not taken into account” by the staff

The FFR adds that the panels “warnings about the dangerousness of the site would not have been taken into account”, a fact “particularly objectionable”. “The progress and supervision of the session seem to have been poorly controlled, notably due to a lack of clear supervision instructions given to staff members and players,” once again attacks the FFR against members of the team’s staff.

In addition, the federation led by Florian Grill “wonders whether an attempt to rescue Medhi Narjissi using the lifebuoy available could have been considered or whether the members of the management could have directly undertaken any rescue action “. Since this was not the case, “this circumstance seems to confirm that the conditions at sea were particularly dangerous,” continues the FFR.

In view of these failures, the body announces that it will contact the Ministry of Sports “so that he puts an end, without notice, to the assignments to him of the sports technical advisors in charge during this trip” and over which the ministry exercises “hierarchical and disciplinary power”. The FFR finally concludes that it will take measures against the other supervisors, “whatever their status”, and will lead “deep reflection” relative “the simplification of the chains of command of the French teams, the conditions of supervision of the French teams and the mastery of appropriate emergency procedures in the event of an accident”.

All elements of the internal investigation were transmitted to the parents of Medhi Narjissi and to the Ministry of Sports. At the same time, at the beginning of September, a judicial investigation was opened by the Agen public prosecutor’s office.