In the week, the ASM and the ex-Blue (31 years, 46 caps) received a letter from the French Rugby Federation (FFR) informing them that it was withdrawing his player's license.

Clearly, career ended for the former Brive and Perpignan who has not played since December 10 and a match against the South African franchise of the Stormers (24-14), in the Champions Cup, where he suffered a broken nose and a concussion.

"In six years, this is the tenth (concussion, editor's note) listed. There have been others but they have apparently not been recorded in my medical file," he said in an interview with L'Equipe published Saturday.

"I have stronger and stronger symptoms after each concussion, with an impact on my life as a professional rugby player but also on my private life," continued the player, referring to "headaches", "dizziness" and his "fatigue".

"A week after (his injury)," he told L'Equipe, "I wanted to come to the stadium driving alone. Result: I fell asleep in the parking lot when I arrived so exhausted from having driven not even fifteen minutes. They also had to postpone my nose surgery because anesthesia was not recommended in my condition."

After two operations, Vahaamahina, who arrived at Marcel-Michelin in 2014, has "resumed an almost normal life" but continues to live with "a sharp sword over his head".

Vahaamahina is particularly angry against his club whose lack of consideration he points out.

"I understood that the ASM surely had other things to do than take care of its old soldiers," he added.

'Shame'

From now on, the second line expects Clermont leaders to recognize "their responsibilities" and honor "their contractual commitments".

"The club continues to buy time and hope that I give up. I thought I deserved more respect. I am disappointed and hurt," said Vahaamahina, who is "ashamed" for Clermont and for the officials, who have "ruined everything".

"I played nine years at Clermont," he recalled. "Nine years of unwavering commitment to ASM and, today, I am ashamed for my club as my dismissal for incapacity is underway."

Vahaamahina adds his name to the growing list of players who denounce the shortcomings of the authorities, such as former All Blacks stalwart Carl Hayman or former Rose XV hooker Steve Thompson.

The New Zealander and the Englishman, both in the Top 14, are part of a group of fifteen players who, in November, filed a legal action against the French rugby authorities for breach of their security and information obligations. More than 200 accused World Rugby, as well as the English and Welsh unions, of not having sufficiently protected them against concussions.

Vahaamahina is also the third Clermontois to denounce the attitude of the Auvergne club, after the second line Jamie Cudmore and the third line Alexandre Lapandry, who filed a complaint against the club for "endangering the lives of others".

Contacted by AFP, the ASM did not wish to react immediately.

© 2023 AFP