A pre-match filled with emotion. Before the explanations of the text on the field between Toulousains and Rochelais for the poster of the 2nd day of Top 14, the players and the public of Ernest-Wallon paid a poignant tribute to Medhi Narjissi, member of the club disappeared at sea during a training camp in South Africa with the French U18 team. In a heavy atmosphere and in the presence of his Toulouse teammates and his parents, the majority of whom could not hold back their tears, a banner “All with Medhi, Medhi with us” was unfurled in the center of the field.
The Haute-Garonne club also paid tribute to the memory of Helen Tekori, the wife of former Samoan second row and U21 coach Iosepha Tekori, who died suddenly in July at the age of 44.
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Tributes on all the Top 14 and Pro D2 pitches
The name of Medhi Narjissi was chanted at length by the Toulouse supporters, all equipped with a black balloon during a sequence lasting several minutes. Since the start of the championship, whether in Top 14 or Pro D2, tributes have multiplied for the young French hopeful, who disappeared at sea since August 7.
Behind the scenes, the French Rugby Federation conducted an internal investigation to try to shed light on this tragic accident. In its conclusions, The instance overwhelms the team’s management and asks the Ministry of Sports for sanctions against several members. A 12-page document recounts in particular all the stages of the drama recounted by the members of the staff and several players, under cover of anonymity.
- RMC Sport
