On August 7, young rugby player Medhi Narjissi went missing off the coast of South Africa during a training session with the France under-18 team. On Wednesday, August 21, a complaint was submitted by the family to the Agen Prosecutor's Office.
French rugby hopeful Medhi Narjissi, originally from Agen and playing for Stade Tolousain, disappeared after being washed away by the waves in South Africa during a training session with the France under-18 team on August 7. A drama that raised many questions. Especially on the dangerousness of the beach.
That day, the group was at Dias Beach, near Cape Town, when the tragedy occurred after 3 p.m. in the surf zone. Significant resources were quickly mobilized to find the young man. Since then, there is no news from Medhi.
An unbearable situation for the family who decided to file a complaint with the Agen prosecutor's office this Wednesday, August 21. The family's lawyer, Me Martial, reports in the Sud-Ouest newspaper: “We officially feel the disappearance of Medhi Narjissi and at the same time we tell the prosecutor that we expect a lot from him.” We can confirm that the Agen Prosecutor's Office has received a complaint request and is studying the file with regard to possible legal actions, namely the opening of a judicial investigation with an investigating judge assigned to the investigation.
A wave of solidarity
On Tuesday, August 13, Stade Toulousein, where the victim had been a part of for two years, launched a solidarity initiative to support the family. An online prize pool has been opened on the Stade Tolousain association websiteintended to cover the costs of the investigation and from now on for possible prosecutions at the judicial level. “In agreement with the family of Medhi Narjissi, a minute's applause will be held at all rugby grounds in France to pay his respects,” the FFR said on Wednesday. An initiative with which the National Rugby League is associated.
Dismissed staff
At issue in this tragic story is the role of the French Rugby Federation and, more specifically, the under-18 staff. The young players were on site for a cold water recovery session. “Conditions at the scene were 3 to 4 meter waves and 15 knots (28 km/h) winds,” South African National Rescue Institute spokesman Craig Lambinon said in -a press release after the tragedy. “It's a sublime beach, quite easy to access, a mythical and magical place… but no one swims there, rightfully so,” pointed out Élodie Davids, a 43-year-old French woman who has lived in the region for more than twenty years. years, in our columns last Sunday.
After the time of shock and emotion, comes the time of questions and especially answers. The judicial investigation that could begin according to the decision of the prosecutor's office would shed light on the circumstances of this tragedy and possibly establish the responsibilities of each person.
For its part, the FFR has already fired all staff on Thursday, August 15, and opened an internal investigation. Its president, Florian Grill, said he would understand “if there was a controversial approach from the family”. The Ministry of Sports has opened an administrative investigation into the federation, regarding the supervision of minors.
Many questions remain. The Narjissi family, through this approach, hopes to find answers.