French star banned over 'medical condition'
BREAKING NEWS: Racing 92 announced on Monday that France centre Virimi Vakatawa has been banned from playing in France.
The 30-year-old Fiji-born player did not feature in Racing’s season opener this past weekend, a 25-19 win over Castres.
The club indicated that the LNR, which runs the professional Rugby Union game in France, had played a role.
“Racing 92 has just been informed of the decision of the LNR’s medical committee to forbid Virimi Vakatawa from continuing his professional career as a player in France,” Racing said in a statement.
“[We are] particularly saddened by this terrible news, Racing 92 gives its full support to Virimi Vakatawa and immediately put in place all the measures to support its emblematic player as best as possible in these particularly difficult times,” the Top 14 side said, without providing further details.
The club has called a press conference for Tuesday which France coach Fabien Galthié will attend.
While it looks as though Vakatawa is banned from playing in France for the time being, the statement suggests that he is not barred from playing elsewhere.
The same thing happened to France hooker Christopher Tolofua, who was banned five years ago from representing his country due to a spinal problem, while still being able to play for Saracens.
However, the ban was lifted after surgery, ushering a move to Toulon.
Vakatawa, capped 32 times, has not played since France’s 20-15 victory in Japan in July.
His last club game was Racing’s 20-13 loss to La Rochelle in the European Champions Cup semi-final in May.
Vakatawa’s last season was interrupted by injuries, particularly to the knee.
He was not part of the France team that won the Six Nations Grand Slam last season.
