Racing 92’s Fijian winger Vinaya Habosi has been mandated to participate in a domestic violence awareness course after his arrest, according to a public prosecutor’s office near Paris.
Habosi was detained on Sunday and released the following day after police responded to a domestic dispute at his home involving his wife and their infant child. Witnesses alleged that the 24-year-old Habosi pushed and struck his wife, an assertion she confirmed to authorities at that time.
Reports indicate that Habosi displayed “signs of drunkenness” during the incident. Prosecutors from Nanterre stated that Habosi must attend a program designed to raise awareness about the prevention of domestic violence and sexist behavior as part of an alternative to legal action. They added that failure to comply could result in legal proceedings against him.
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, acknowledging the ongoing investigation and expressing a desire for the team to focus on the game. He stated, “It has an impact in that you want to just concentrate on the rugby. It’s nothing we can control so the players have been very good.”
In February 2023, Habosi was dismissed from Fijian Drua due to a serious violation of the club’s code of conduct, reportedly following an assault complaint filed with local authorities. He later joined Racing, situated to the west of Paris. Habosi also represented Fiji in five matches during the last Rugby World Cup, starting against England in the quarter-finals.