Vinaya Habosi, a Fijian winger for Racing 92, has been mandated to enroll in a domestic violence education program following his recent arrest, as confirmed by a public prosecutor’s office located near Paris. Habosi was detained on Sunday and released by police 24 hours later after they responded to a domestic dispute involving him and his wife in the presence of their infant child.
Witnesses reported that the 24-year-old Habosi physically assaulted his wife, which she corroborated during the police inquiry. Authorities noted that he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
The prosecutor’s office in Nanterre announced that Habosi is required to complete a course focusing on the prevention of domestic violence and sexism as part of an alternative to criminal prosecution. They further indicated that legal action could follow if he does not comply with this order.
Habosi made a brief appearance in Racing’s recent match, playing 10 minutes as a substitute in their 33-20 victory against Clermont in the Top 14 league. As the team prepares for their upcoming clash with Bordeaux-Begles, head coach Stuart Lancaster acknowledged the ongoing investigation while emphasizing the need for the team to focus on their performance.
Previously, in February 2023, Habosi was dismissed from Fijian Drua due to a serious violation of the club’s code of conduct, reportedly connected to an assault complaint filed with local law enforcement. He later joined Racing 92, where he participated in five matches for Fiji during last year’s Rugby World Cup, including a start in the quarter-final against England.