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“During this holiday season, we must spare a thought for him, his wife and his child. » Manu Mirande, the captain of Ribérac, played several seasons with third row Feao Latu. So, when we ask him to talk about his year 2009, he doesn’t hesitate. “It was special. The disappearance of Feao left its mark. There is no need to talk about it for the Capists to remember it. »
This January 11, 2009, the CAP goes to Cahors. Suddenly, the Tongan third line falls. Alone. Without the slightest apparent shock. Emergency services run and try to resuscitate him. The club doctor, Bruno Roumy, quickly realized that the situation was serious. “He starts shaking. He shows the signs of someone who is sinking.” A firefighter and an anesthesiologist take over. Without a defibrillator, which arrives seven minutes later. Too late. The player leaves for the hospital, but hope has already disappeared.
An autopsy is carried out in Toulouse. The results came around ten days later: the Tongan suffered from a heart defect.
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Around the family
Jacky Laurans, the president of the Périgord-Agenais Committee, was also touched by this tragedy: “We were very marked. Behind it, there was a tremendous outpouring of solidarity. Financially, administratively and humanly, we did everything to help his family. » For example, t-shirts had been sold for the benefit of the player’s wife.
Manu Mirande confirms: “We all focused on his family. There was a large gathering around his father, who had come for the funeral. And then the Feao Latu summer camp was created. It’s a great opportunity to meet all the players again. I hope everyone continues to play the game.”
After Latu’s death
The tributes are multiplying. The Boulazac basketball players wear a t-shirt in honor of the player and respect a minute of silence for their match in Limoges. And everyone remembers the tragic fate of Francis Rongiéras, another number 8 of the CAP, who died on the pitch eighteen years earlier. Worse, three weeks later, Guillaume Lachaud was killed while driving. Crabos of CAP and son of Didier Lachaud, the president of Ribérac, he also wore number 8 for a few weeks. Then, at the beginning of February, Rémy Marnier, who played as Reichel, died of a long illness. He was also number 8.
To ward off the curse, as much as to pay tribute to their teammates and friends, the Capistes decide to no longer wear this sad jersey. From then on, it is replaced by the 24.
But Rugby continues. And the best tribute to the Tongan is to give everything on the field. During Hagetmau’s reception on January 17, emotion overflowed from the stands. More than 3,000 people are present. The Périgourdins enter the field with a tribute t-shirt. And the Landais are overwhelmed (41-3). “We played sixteen. » Manu Mirande, wearer of number 24, scores the first try of the game. Quite a symbol. The minute of silence goes beyond the turn of the dial. Tyana, Feao’s wife, is supported by her teammates from the Entente des Deux Vallées. Rugby, which took her husband from her, nevertheless remains an essential element of her life. Staying in Dordogne, “I see her around the Ribérac stadium,” explains Mirande. She plays with the Eleanors as a curtain raiser. It always makes me very happy to see her.”
On January 19, 2009, Feao Latu’s father came from Tonga for his son’s funeral.
Jean-Christophe Sounalet / South West Archives
The Tongan’s funeral takes place on January 19. Players from Cahors made the trip. Louis Neisen, president of Bugue, is also there. Just like Philippe Alibeau, on behalf of Boulazac Basket Dordogne. Feao’s father came from the Tonga Islands to collect his son’s remains. The coffin is covered with flowers, as tradition dictates. Rémy Escudier, the captain, also drapes it with a CAP flag.
We all focused on his family. There was a large gathering around his father, who had come for the funeral
Almost a year after this tragedy, efforts have been made to better ensure the safety of players, in particular. The question of defibrillators remains unanswered. “We encouraged the clubs to equip themselves,” explains Jacky Laurans. It’s necessary. » The chairman of the Committee has “no reliable statistics, but it is slowly being implemented. Not all stadiums are yet equipped. »
Some clubs have received donations from associations and municipalities. “But we must continue the effort. Like when we strengthened first aid preparedness for everyone on the ground. Firstly the referee. » This training existed before. With Latu’s disappearance, it was revived.
