Disappearance of Medhi Narjissi: Restoring the truth of the facts, the defense of the FFR undermined by new revelations

New revelations from the newspaper L’Équipe are shaking up the defense of the FFR in the case of the disappearance of Medhi Narjissi, this Wednesday, May 13. Information that comes just a few days after Florian Grill spoke out.

As the weeks, months, and years pass, the tragedy takes on a sprawling dimension. Nearly two years after the disappearance at sea of young Medhi Narjissi on Dias Beach in South Africa – considered one of the most dangerous in the world – during a recovery session in the water of the French U18 team, the investigation continues to progress.

Charged as a legal person with involuntary manslaughter due to “carelessness, recklessness, inattention, negligence, or failure to fulfill a security or prudence obligation,” the French Rugby Federation claims, through its elected officials and lawyers, that it has no criminal responsibility in this tragedy on August 7, 2024. But revelations from the newspaper L’Équipe regarding Florian Grill’s interrogation by the examining magistrate suggest that the FFR has relieved itself of any responsibility, forcing its president to “restore the truth of the facts, particularly in the face of those who exploit the tragedy and spread falsehoods.”

In an interview with Midi Olympique, the head of French rugby spoke for the first time since this indictment. “Until now, I had wanted not to speak out, I wanted to reserve my comments for the justice and above all to preserve the serenity of the investigation. But it is clear that the confidentiality of the investigation has been violated,” he explained on Monday, May 11.

“All my life, I have assumed my responsibilities”

As from the beginning of the case, the president of the federation reiterated that responsibility could only be individual in this tragedy. According to him, the decision to go swimming on Dias Beach is “incomprehensible.” “The decision made on the spot is the opposite of what is written in the planning of the DTN (National Technical Directorate), which did not foresee any swimming. It is indeed on the spot that it happened,” he insisted.

In the eyes of the Federation, the shortcomings would come solely from Robin Ladauge, physical trainer, and Stéphane Cambos, manager of the French U18 team, who is also charged with involuntary manslaughter. Since the tragedy, the former has been dismissed from public office while the latter is suspended for two years, including one year in prison. “All my life, I have assumed my responsibilities. As I told the judge, if I thought for a second that the Federation or the DTN had any criminal responsibility in this tragedy, I would be the first to say so,” Florian Grill added.

“I am fully aware that we can never feel what Medhi’s family feels in terms of pain and anger,” he added.

A WhatsApp group that raises questions

But new elements could weaken Florian Grill’s version and that of the Federation. According to L’Équipe, the FFR and the DTN in Paris were well aware of the situation in South Africa via a WhatsApp group, which included two officials: Cédric L., who had recently become “manager of the French youth teams,” and Élise M., team manager and employee of the Federation at the time of the events.

On the morning of the tragedy, Robin Ladauge, the physical trainer, sent a recovery program through the group: “Obligation to take a cold bath today. Two options are available to you: 1) cold bath on the beach of Cape of Good Hope – be careful, a small descent of about a hundred steps. Bring a towel and swimsuit. 2) cold bath when returning to the hotel around 5 pm.” A communication that did not elicit any opposition from Paris, even though the message was received by Cédric L., according to L’Équipe.

Later in the day, the young people and the staff went down to Dias Beach to carry out their recovery session in the water, before Medhi Narjissi disappeared at sea, despite the attempted rescue of one of his teammates. His body was never found.

“The presence of Cédric L. and Élise M. in this WhatsApp group does not change the position of the FFR,” defended the Federation’s lawyer, Maître Chichportich, speaking to L’Équipe. “The former was on vacation and was not asked for any validation. The latter was in Paris and had neither the competence nor the authority to intervene with the staff.”

“This group is a non-issue that has no impact on the responsibility of the FFR,” he affirmed. At present, the investigation is ongoing and all parties are presumed innocent.