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French rugby star Haouas arrested over domestic violence, World Cup doubt / Photo: © AFP/File
French rugby star Haouas arrested over domestic violence, World Cup doubt
French rugby star Mohamed Haouas's place at this year's Rugby World Cup is in doubt after the Montpellier prop forward was taken into police custody for alleged domestic violence.
The public prosecutor in Montpellier, where he was arrested by police on Friday, confirmed a new brush with the law that threatens Haouas's international future.
"I can confirm that the player has been in police custody since 6.10pm yesterday evening for acts of domestic violence allegedly committed on the public highway in Montpellier," Fabrice Belargent told AFP on Saturday.
The exact circumstances surrounding this arrest - also confirmed by his lawyer Marc Gallix - are not yet known, although it follows two trials for alleged crimes committed a decade ago.
The 29-year-old married father of two, who has won 16 international caps, was part of France's Six Nations squad this season, although he received a red card for headbutting on his only appearance, against Scotland, and was banned for the rest of the tournament.
He is currently awaiting the verdict of a trial held in Montpellier this month for his role as "leader" in a brawl 10 years ago.
Prosecutors have requested he receive a two-year suspended sentence with the court's decision due on June 30, two months before the World Cup in France.
It makes for an awkward conundrum for France coach Fabien Galthie who will name his initial 42-man squad for the tournament nine days earlier on June 21.
In February 2022, Haouas received an 18-month suspended sentence for his part in a series of robberies in April 2014 and for receiving a stolen car.
Haouas told his trial in Montpellier this month that "my aim is to never return to court" and that he wanted to "turn the page on" mistakes made during his childhood.
At the time Galthie declined to condemn him publicly: "I want to protect him, help him and encourage him," he explained.
Haouas has spent his entire playing career at Montpellier but next season is switching to rival Top 14 side Clermont.
"I've decided to leave Montpellier before the end of my contract to have a complete change, a change of house, of city, of life" he explained.
Contacted by AFP on Saturday, Clermont have not commented on the arrest.
A. Ribeiro--JDB
