The defense line of the French Rugby Federation is being questioned again in the case of Mehdi Narjissi, who disappeared at sea on August 7, 2024, in South Africa during a training camp for under-18s. While President Florian Grill claims that no swimming was planned in the program and that the fault was committed “on site,” WhatsApp conversations raise concerns about the level of responsibility of the national body.
It is an issue that continues to haunt French rugby. Nearly two years after the disappearance of Mehdi Narjissi, a young player from Stade Toulousain swept away by the waves during a recovery session with the French U18 team in South Africa, the defense of the French Rugby Federation appears increasingly fragile.
In late April, the FFR was placed under investigation for involuntary manslaughter, with the judiciary citing possible “failures in the organization of the training camp” and shortcomings in the supervision of minors.
New revelations challenging Florian Grill’s version
Since the beginning of the case, Florian Grill has been trying to maintain a clear line: the FFR would not bear any criminal responsibility. In an interview with Midi Olympique on May 11, the president of the federation stated his duty to “establish the truth of the facts” and emphasized a central point: “no sea swimming was planned in the program.”
However, new revelations from L’Équipe question the FFR’s version. On the morning of the tragedy, a WhatsApp discussion among members of the national technical management and the federation would suggest the possibility of swimming in that area. These conversations raise a crucial question: could the federation truly hide behind the idea of an isolated slip-up?
Facing these new revelations, the FFR, through its lawyer Maître Mathias Chichportich, firmly denies any involvement of its members: “None of the exchanges you refer to have been highlighted by the investigating judge to support her decision. As a result, the FFR maintains its position on all points.”
The site of the tragedy known as dangerous
Mehdi Narjissi disappeared at Dias Beach, a beach in South Africa known to be dangerous where currents and waves can be very violent. Reports already published have pointed out failures in the preparation and supervision of this session.
The main challenge of the investigation remains, however: to understand how a teenager entrusted to a national selection could be exposed to such danger.
