Bernard Laporte defends Mohamed Haouas. This Sunday, during an interview with Midi-Libre, the Montpellier sports director returned to the behavior of the French pillar, already convicted of domestic violence and tested positive in an alcohol test while driving his vehicle. , early December.
Laid off by the club, then reintegrated into the group, Haouas benefits from the support of the former president of the FFR. “We told Momo: You have the right to nothing. You can't do anything. That's how it is. You have to assimilate it into your life,” explained Bernard Laporte. He then invoked a supposed difference in treatment between the actions of his player and other extra-sporting matters.
“When I see the affairs that are going on in rugby, that some are in prison, and that he is in the headlines… I tell myself that there are double standards. But that's how it is, you have to accept it. » In addition, the manager assured that his player had shown investment since his return. “I’m delighted with the guy. He was fired and fined financially. He's not complaining, he came back, apologized, is training… That has to be said. Everyone thinks he's a loser, but that's not true. I'm glad the president made the decision to reinstate him, because he deserves it. »
The pillar will be tried on February 4 for drunk driving. The procedure will consist of an appearance upon prior admission of guilt. Joan Caudullo, the manager of the MHR, said in December: “Haouas disappointed us with his behavior. For me, it was important to punish him. There is a precautionary layoff. We'll see how it goes next. » The ex-international returned to his training club this summer after a season in Biarritz (Pro D2), with the condition of “exemplary behavior” demanded by the president of Montpellier Mohed Altrad.
The former Blues player (30 years old, 16 caps) was also sentenced to 18 months in prison, including nine months, in June 2024 for “aggravated violence”, during a fight in Montpellier on January 1, 2014. Haouas appealed this latest decision. The Montpellier player was also sentenced in February 2022 to 18 months in prison, suspended, for burglaries of tobacco shops in Montpellier in 2014.
