Fiji winger Vinaya Habosi, who plays for Racing 92, has been mandated to attend a domestic violence course following his arrest, as stated by a public prosecutor’s office near Paris on Tuesday.
Habosi was detained on Sunday and released the next day after police responded to a domestic dispute at his home, where he was with his wife and their infant child. Witnesses reported that the 24-year-old pushed and struck his wife, a claim that she corroborated to the authorities.
At the time of the incident, Habosi reportedly exhibited signs of intoxication. Prosecutors in Nanterre revealed that he must complete a program aimed at increasing awareness about violence in relationships and combating sexism as part of an alternative to traditional legal action. They warned that legal action could be taken if he does not comply with this requirement.
Habosi played a brief role in Racing’s recent 33-20 victory over Clermont in the French Top 14. The team is set to face Bordeaux-Begles in the third round of the season on Saturday.
Racing 92 head coach Stuart Lancaster commented on the situation, saying the club is still investigating the matter, while emphasizing the need for the team to focus on rugby. He acknowledged that the issue is beyond their control but praised the players for their professionalism and readiness for the upcoming match.
Earlier in February 2023, Habosi was dismissed from the Fijian Drua due to a serious violation of the club’s code of conduct, coinciding with an assault complaint made to local police. He subsequently joined Racing 92, where he has contributed to their campaign, including participation in five matches for Fiji in the last Rugby World Cup, where he started against England in the quarter-finals.