Semi Radradra, the star player of the Flying Fijians, is facing difficulties returning to France and may miss the beginning of the 2024/25 French Top 14 season with his new team, Lyon. The hold-up is due to visa complications concerning his son.
At 32 years old, Radradra is originally from Somosomo in Taveuni. He returned to France last season after a three-year period in England playing for Bristol. He recently competed for Fiji against the All Blacks on July 20 in San Diego.
After that match, Radradra went back to Fiji, but he has not made it back to France due to an issue with the necessary paperwork for his son, leaving him unable to travel just 11 days before Lyon’s first match. It appears he believed his son could travel without a visa since he is included on Radradra’s passport. However, boarding was denied, prompting an urgent effort to resolve the paperwork.
A report from L’Equipe indicated that Radradra has not yet returned to France, attributing the delay to a complex administrative issue. His son, who is under one year old and was born in France, was initially thought to be exempt from needing a visa. Now, a visa application has been submitted, but it is currently in transit through Singapore for administrative processing, which could take up to ten days.
Radradra is expected to arrive back in France by Friday at the earliest, but he is anticipated to be back before the Top 14 season resumes. An update on his physical status will follow upon his arrival. Lyon’s season opener is scheduled for September 7 against Montpellier.