Mohamed Haouas, pillar of the XV of France rugby, was placed in provisional detention Sunday, May 28, pending his trial for domestic violence to be held Tuesday in Montpellier, said his lawyer.

"The judge has decided, provisionally, to place him in detention," said Marc Gallix, the player's counsel, who was placed in custody Friday night after violence against his wife on the public road in Montpellier. Violence for which the latter has not filed a complaint, said the lawyer.

This new court case, after two trials for "youthful mistakes", further compromises the player's chances of participating in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which is being held in France from September 8 to October 28.

Mohamed Haouas will be tried "Tuesday at 13:30 p.m. in immediate appearance" before the criminal court of Montpellier, said his lawyer, adding that his client was "prosecuted for domestic violence without ITT" and that he faced a maximum sentence of three years of detention.

Assault of his wife in front of witnesses

According to a source close to the case, the facts accused of the Montpellier Hérault Rugby (MHR) player occurred Friday in the middle of the day, in front of a shopping center in Montpellier where his wife works.

After an argument broke out between them, "he made a sweep (kick in the ankle to make someone fall, Editor's note), she fell and he hit her in the face," added the same source, noting that several people had witnessed the scene, also captured by CCTV cameras.

"If they are established, the facts of domestic violence accused of Mohamed Haouas are unacceptable," responded Saturday in a tweet the Minister of Sports and Olympics, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.

If established, the charges of domestic violence against Mohamed Haouas are unacceptable. Justice will now quickly shed light on the situation so that all the necessary consequences, both criminal and sporting, can be drawn. https://t.co/mCnzI5gjBD

— Amélie Oudéa-Castéra (@AOC1978) May 27, 2023

"Mistakes of youth"

Aged 29, married and father of two children, Mohamed Haouas has already twice experienced the dock of the judicial court of Montpellier, for facts committed in his youth, nearly ten years ago.

In February 2022, the international (16 caps) was sentenced to 18 months in prison suspended for his role in burglaries in 2014, when he was not yet a professional rugby player.

On 12 May, during his second appearance in court, he had appeared for "aggravated violence" and "destruction of the property of others committed in assembly", facts still dating from 2014. He was on trial with five friends for a fight of rare violence.

"My goal is never to return to court," said Mohamed Haouas, against whom a two-year suspended prison sentence was requested, adding that he wanted to definitively turn the page on the "mistakes of youth".

"It's not good what we did that day, I'm sorry, it's not a pride. When you're young, you do stupid things. But I'm looking to evolve, I decided to leave Montpellier before the end of my contract to change everything, change house, city, life.

Violence on the ground

A Montpellier player since the beginning of his career, Mohamed Haouas has signed for three years, starting next season, with Clermont.

"Montpellier Hérault Rugby wishes to reiterate that it condemns all acts of violence of any kind and expects exemplary behaviour from its employees. The management of the club, which will make no further comment, remains waiting for judicial decisions and will then determine the follow-up to be given on this case, "responded the club Hérault in a statement.

This new case could deal the final blow to the international career of Mohamed Haouas, a few days before the announcement, on June 21 by Fabien Galthié, the coach of the Blues, of the 42 players selected for the Rugby World Cup in France.

See also Rugby World Cup 2023: the Blues focused on their quest for a first coronation

At that time, Mohamed Haouas' conviction for his second trial will not yet be known, with deliberations scheduled for 30 June.

Appearing as a meteorite within the XV of France at the beginning of the Galthié era, quickly indisputable holder, the Montpellier colossus (1.85 m, 123 kg) then moved back in the hierarchy of pillars of the XV of France.

The fault to less successful sports performances first. But also because of two blood strokes sanctioned by two red cards, each time against Scotland, during the Six Nations Tournament: in 2020, for a punch to the face, then this year, for a headbutt this time.

With AFP

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