Cape Town - In the wake of French under-18 rugby player Medhi Narjissi’s disappearance at Cape Point, the team’s entire coaching staff has been suspended pending the outcomes of an internal investigation.
The 17-year-old player was swept out to sea during a player recovery session at Diaz Beach three weeks ago, with his body yet to be recovered.
He was a member of the French squad that was scheduled to play in the under-18 International Series in Cape Town, which concluded on Tuesday.
The French Rugby Federation has since decided to temporarily suspend all team supervisors.
In a statement, it said the decision comes pending the final conclusions of an internal investigation.
“The first elements collected on-site by a member of the national technical management confirm that the site chosen for a player recovery session presented dangers.
“This is an error of judgement that may constitute individual and/or collective fault. The final conclusions of our investigation will make it possible to determine responsibilities,” the federation said.
“As it has undertaken, the FFR (French Rugby Federation) remains determined to shed full light on the precise circumstances of the tragedy.”
Authorities are continuing their search for the Toulouse rugby player.
Craig Lambinon, spokesperson for the NSRI, said police divers supported by multiple agencies were involved in ongoing search efforts.
“All care, thoughts, support and ongoing updates and information are being provided to the family in this difficult time,” he said.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said the circumstances surrounding the incident were still under investigation.
“We confirm that the body of the victim has not yet been recovered,” Swartbooi said.
SANParks is also liaising with the French Consulate to co-ordinate matters with the family.
Meanwhile, interviews have been conducted with all staff members and the French Rugby Federation said it would interview players while taking necessary safety measures due to the psychological trauma they experienced.
“The FFR has also communicated the first elements at its disposal to the Ministry of Sport, on which two state executives present within the FFR staff in South Africa depend, so that the latter can make an appropriate decision,” the federation highlighted.
Toulouse has since launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the expenses and needs of the family.
“The club worked with the French Rugby Federation and SA Rugby to allow the family to visit the site and discuss with them the ongoing searches.
“We wanted to set up a kitty to cover the expenses and needs that the family will have to assume to face this dramatic situation,” the club said.
Following the tragedy, the president of SA Rugby Union, Mark Alexander, sent his condolences to the Narjissi family and the French rugby community. The French squad had to withdraw from the International Series, necessitating a change to the tournament schedule.
France was grouped with SA and Georgia.