Racing 92 winger Vinaya Habosi, hailing from Fiji, has been mandated to attend a domestic violence awareness course following his arrest, according to a spokesperson from a public prosecutor’s office near Paris. Habosi was detained on Sunday and released the following day after police were called to his residence due to a dispute with his wife while their baby was present.
Witness accounts indicate that the 24-year-old player allegedly pushed and struck his wife, a claim that was corroborated by the victim during the police intervention. Reports suggest that Habosi displayed signs of intoxication at the time of the incident.
Prosecutors from the Nanterre suburb mentioned that Habosi has been required to participate in a program aimed at raising awareness about preventing and addressing domestic violence, particularly of a sexist nature, as part of an alternative to criminal charges. They noted that legal actions could be initiated if Habosi does not comply with this requirement.
Despite the off-field issues, Habosi contributed to Racing’s 33-20 victory over Clermont in the French Top 14 by coming off the bench for ten minutes. Racing 92 is set to face Bordeaux-Begles in their next Top 14 match.
Coach Stuart Lancaster acknowledged the situation, stating that the club is still investigating the matter. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming game despite the distractions caused by the incident.
In February 2023, Habosi was dismissed from Fijian Drua for a significant violation of the club’s conduct policy, reportedly following a complaint of assault filed with local authorities. He later joined Racing 92, which is located to the west of Paris.
Habosi was also a participant in five matches for Fiji during the Rugby World Cup last year, starting on the wing against England in the quarter-finals.