Currently under contract with Oyonnax during their trial, Rory Grice and Chris Farrell will be dismissed by the Aindinois club if they are convicted. In any case, this is what Dougal Bendjaballah, the president of “Oyo”, assures.
This Monday opened in Bordeaux the trial of the five former Grenoble players. Loïck Jammes, Denis Coulson and Rory Grice are accused of “gang rape” while Chris Farrell and Dylan Hayes are accused of “failure to assist a person in danger”.
Three of these five men are still professional players. Jammes plays for Provence Rugby while Grice and Farrell wear the Oyonnax jersey this season. The first city arrived in 2018 after his departure from FCG in Ain while the second arrived at the end of 2023 after being dismissed from Munster.
In the columns of ProgressDougal Bendjaballah spoke about this inglorious news for French rugby. The president of Oyonnax initially justified their recruitment: “They are presumed innocent so why prohibit them from working? The club hired players free of any contract who were simply suspected by facts dating from seven years ago.”
Bendjaballah will be present this Tuesday at the trial
Important information, Dougal Bendjaballah will be present this Tuesday at the trial of the five former Grenoble players as a “defense witness.” Note that Grice and Farrell each have a contract that runs until 2025 in Ain. Their adventure could nevertheless end abruptly: “If they are sentenced to prison, they will be fired because they will no longer be able to play. It will be a breach of contract”declared the Oyonnaxian president.
Although the trial was to take place last June, it was adjourned. Denis Coulson, accused of “gang rape”, was the victim of a serious road accident at the time. “Since their trial was postponed, both players (Grice and Farrell) have been very affectedadmits Bendjaballah. They are less recognized on the ground. But playing allows them to keep their heads high and face their trial which is vital for them.” This season, Rory Grice took part in three Pro D2 matches with the red and black tunic on his shoulders while Farrell played ten matches. These two men were also starters last Friday facing Mont-de-Marsan.
Senegal
