Rugby/The Stade Français sanctions its players who went out without permission after the defeat in Pau

The Paris rugby club, currently third in the Top 14, confirmed in a press release «the altercation between one of its players and a member of the Pau staff» on Saturday evening in Pau city centre.

What if the Stade Français’s so far encouraging season (third in the Top 14) had seen a negative turn in Pau on Saturday? We are talking here of course about the heavy defeat (30-6) in Béarn, but especially after the match. Because several players and members of the management of the Stade Français were sanctioned by the Parisian club for leaving without authorization after this defeat in Pau.

The Stade Français has indeed published a press release to confirm the information of the newspaper L’Equipe, in particular about «the altercation between one of its players and a member of the Pau staff», during this outing Saturday evening in Pau.

Sports staff told to «stay in hotel» in Pau

Following the defeat to Section Paloise, the second in a row after the 9-13 home defeat to Racing 92, «several players and two members of staff decided to go out on the town in the evening, despite the sports management’s instructions to stay in the hotel», said the Parisian club. According to the L’Equipe, a Stade Français player punched a member of the Section Paloise staff in the face during this outing.

Following these incidents, Stade Français conducted an internal investigation and decided to punish those responsible, the club added, without however specifying the nature of the sanctions. All of which adds spice in the run-up to Sunday’s Top 14 clash with Stade Toulousain.

Pascal Amstrong