French youth rugby star’s disappearance was partly caused by ‘poorly-controlled’ recovery session, an investigation concludes, after teenager was lost at sea in South Africa

The French rugby star, Medhi Narjissi, who went missing in Cape Town, South Africa, in August was partly caused by a ‘poorly controlled’ recovery session, an investigation determined.

Narjissi headed to South Africa as part of France Under-18’s international training camp that was organised ahead of a five-nation tournament tgat also featured England, Ireland and Georgia.

The 17-year-old was swept away by a wave while taking part in a training drill in the sea on Dias Beach and a search party was immediately rallied to find the missing youngster.

Two sea rescue operation boats and a search helicopter was launched, but tragically Narjissi”s body was never found.

The French Rugby Federation has now concluded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Narjissi’s disappearance and are now considering taking action against the coaches involved in the organising the sea-based training session.

A minutes silence was previously held for the teenager across French Top14 rugby matches

Questions were raised during the investigation that addressed the unsuitability for players to go into the sea without a thorough risk assessment being conducted.

‘The decision to organise a recovery session in the water on Dias Beach was taken without considering the dangerousness of the site, in particular rip currents, waves and rocks,’ the FFR said.

All staff members present during the incident have been investigated and a group of players there on the day have also been interviewed.

The player’s heartbroken father, Jalil Narjissi, has since addressed the circumstances surrounding the youngster’s disappearance and rubbished claims that it was an ‘accident’.

‘It’s not an accident, it was caused,’ he said.

‘A bus accident, a plane crash, or if Medhi gets hurt and becomes paraplegic, we are all sorry, dejected. But not this, not something like that.

‘They played with the lives of our children.’