Disparition de Medhi Narjissi: French Rugby Federation Faces Court Over 2024 Incident

The French Rugby Federation and its president Florian Grill are set to appear before the tribunal in Agen on Friday, April 24, 2026, as part of an ongoing judicial investigation into the 2024 disappearance of Medhi Narjissi, a 17-year-old France under-18 international player who vanished during a training camp in South Africa.

The hearing, scheduled for the afternoon, could result in Grill being placed under investigation for involuntary manslaughter or granted the status of assisted witness, according to sources familiar with the case. The federation itself also faces potential legal consequences in the probe.

Narjissi disappeared on August 7, 2024, while participating in a France under-18 team staging camp in South Africa. The teenager, who played for Stade Toulousain at the club level, was reported missing during a maritime activity as part of the team’s preparation program.

Two years after the incident, the judicial process has reached a critical stage. Family representatives have emphasized the importance of the proceedings, stating that a formal acknowledgment of potential institutional failings would be significant for their pursuit of accountability.

“It is so important for them that what they have been saying from the beginning is eventually recognized, possibly through the indictment of Mr. Grill and the French Rugby Federation,” said a lawyer representing Narjissi’s family, speaking to AFP. “They believe the federation seriously malfunctioned, lamenting that all regulations concerning the supervision of minors were never applied.”

The federation’s legal counsel confirmed that Grill will attend the hearing as summoned. The appearance comes amid renewed scrutiny of youth sports safety protocols following the tragedy, which prompted internal reviews within French rugby administration.

As the case moves forward, the outcome of Friday’s hearing could influence both the direction of the judicial investigation and potential reforms to safeguarding standards in international youth sports competitions.

The next development in this case will depend on the rulings emerging from the Agen tribunal proceedings, with further legal steps contingent on whether formal charges are pursued or alternative resolutions are considered.

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