Rugby, Haouas case: "if I do not appeal, he is imprisoned", warns his lawyer

This time, Mohamed Haouas risks incarceration. Sentenced to one year in prison at the end of May for domestic violence, the former pillar of the XV of France rugby was sentenced this Friday to nine months in prison for "aggravated violence" committed almost 10 years ago in Montpellier.

This new conviction of the player by the Montpellier Criminal Court makes it possible for him to go through the prison box, according to his lawyer, Me Marc Gallix, who has announced his intention to appeal.

The decision in itself "is not severe", because "we can clearly see that he is the most virulent of all, that he strikes very violent blows", during this fight which occurred on January 1, 2014, admitted Me Gallix after the announcement of his client's sentence to 18 months in prison, including nine months.

“But the penalties are only adjustable up to one year in prison. If we add today's firm nine months to the 12 months for domestic violence, if I do not appeal and the sentence becomes final, he is imprisoned, "continued the player's lawyer, absent Friday at the hearing.

In appealing, the lawyer explained that he hoped that Mohamed Haouas could first serve his 12-month prison sentence in an adapted form (electronic bracelet or parental parole), while the Court of Appeal rules, which could take two years. This would prevent the player, at the end of his contract with his club Montpellier (MHR), from being sent behind bars.

The judge of freedoms and detention should announce in the fall the terms of execution of this sentence by the player. The option of parental parole, probably accompanied by psychological monitoring and an awareness course on domestic violence, would be "preferable" to that of wearing an electronic bracelet, because it would allow Mohamed Haouas, 29, , "to practice his profession", explained Marc Gallix.