Disappearance of Medhi Narjissi: the defense of the FFR weakened after the revelations which contradict Florian Grill’s version

It is a matter which continues to haunt French rugby. Almost two years after the disappearance of Mehdi Narjissi, a young player from Stade Toulouse who was swept away by the waves during a recovery session with the French U18 XV in South Africa, the defense of the French Rugby Federation appears more and more fragile.

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At the end of April, the FFR was indicted for involuntary manslaughter, with the courts finding in particular possible “failures in the organization of the internship” and failures in the supervision of minors.

New revelations that shake up Florian Grill’s version

Since the start of the affair, Florian Grill has tried to maintain a clear line: the FFR would not bear any criminal responsibility. In an interview given to Midi Olympique on Monday May 11, the President of the Federation asserts that he has the duty to “reestablish the truth of the facts” and insists on a central point: “no swimming in the sea was planned in the program”.

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Disappearance of Medhi Narjissi: “All my life I have assumed my responsibilities…” The president of the FFR Florian Grill comes out of the woodwork and points out “incomprehensible decisions taken locally”

But the new revelations brought by The Team question the version of the FFR. The morning of the tragedy, a discussion on WhatsApp between members of the national technical management and the Federation raised the possibility of swimming in this place. These conversations raise an essential question: could the Federation really hide behind the idea of ​​an isolated slippage?

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Disappearance of Medhi Narjissi: the president of the FFR Florian Grill affirms before the investigating judge that the federation has “no responsibility”

Faced with these new revelations, the FFR, through the voice of its lawyer Maître Mathias Chichportich, firmly brushes aside any involvement of its members: “None of the exchanges to which you refer were put forward by the investigating judge as a basis for her decision. Consequently, the FFR maintains its position in all respects”

The scene of the tragedy known as dangerous

Mehdi Narjissi disappeared at Dias Beach, a South African beach known to be dangerous where the currents and waves can be very violent. Reports already published have pointed out failures in the preparation and supervision of this session.

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IN PICTURES. Disappearance of Medhi Narjissi: the parents gathered on the beach where their son disappeared in South Africa

The issue of the investigation nevertheless remains the same: to understand how a teenager entrusted to a national selection could have been exposed to such danger.