French Rugby Federation Charged in 2024 U18 Player’s Disappearance at Sea

The French Rugby Federation has been formally placed under investigation for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2024 disappearance of Medhi Narjissi, a promising under-18 international player who vanished during a training camp in South Africa.

The development comes nearly two years after Narjissi was swept out to sea during a scheduled recovery session on a beach near the Cape of Good Hope. According to verified reports, the incident occurred on August 7, 2024, while he was participating in an organized beach activity with the France U18 squad.

On Friday, April 24, 2026, French judicial authorities announced that the federation had been mise en examen—a legal step indicating formal investigation—for its role in organizing the activity that led to the tragedy. The charge specifically relates to allegations of involuntary homicide stemming from the circumstances surrounding Narjissi’s disappearance.

The federation’s legal representative, Mathias Chichportich, acknowledged the gravity of the situation while contesting the basis of the charges. He stated that while selecting the beach for a recovery swim constituted a “serious fault,” it was not attributable to the federation as an organization.

“We take note of the decision to place the FFR under investigation as a legal entity. This is an intermediate procedural step that in no way constitutes a declaration of guilt,” Chichportich said in a statement shared with media outlets. He described the ruling as “legally contestable” and affirmed the federation’s continued cooperation with judicial authorities.

According to the lawyer, the decision to hold the recovery session at the particular location had not been planned, authorized, or validated through official channels. He emphasized that while the family’s grief is understandable, criminal liability cannot be extended to the institution based on current evidence.

The announcement marked a significant moment for Narjissi’s family, who have long sought accountability for the loss of their son. His disappearance during what was intended as a routine team-building exercise raised immediate concerns about safety protocols during youth international tours.

Investigations into the incident have focused on whether adequate risk assessments were conducted prior to the beach activity and whether appropriate supervision was provided given the known hazards of the coastline in that region. Local conditions, including strong currents and unpredictable swells, are well-documented hazards near the Cape of Good Hope.

No body has ever been recovered, and Narjissi remains officially listed as missing. The case has drawn attention to the responsibilities of sports federations when organizing overseas training camps for minor athletes, particularly in environments with significant natural risks.

The French Rugby Federation has maintained that it has fully cooperated with investigators since the outset of the case. It continues to await further developments in the judicial process, which may include additional hearings or the potential referral of the case to trial.

As of this date, no trial date has been set, and the investigation remains active. The federation has not issued any additional public statements beyond those conveyed through its legal counsel.

For ongoing updates on this case and other developments in international rugby, readers are encouraged to follow official communications from World Rugby and national federation releases.

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