France prop given jail term for domestic violence

A French court on Tuesday handed rugby international Mohamed Haouas a one-year prison sentence, AFP and L’Equipe reported, after a fast-track trial for alleged domestic violence.

Haouas, who plays as a prop for the Montpellier team in southern France, had been in police custody since Friday. Sports paper L’Equipe reported the court had chosen an adjustable sentence, allowing the player to effectively stay out of prison.

The verdict, which was less than the 18-month sentence demanded by prosecutors, casts doubt over Haouas’ possible call-up for France’s team at the Rugby World Cup, which the country will host this autumn.

France’s FFR rugby federation said in a statement that it condemned Haouas’ conduct.

“The behaviour of Mohamed Haouas is inadmissible and incompatible with representing our country at international level,” the FFR said.

Haouas’ lawyer did not reply to a Reuters request for comment. It was not immediately clear whether Haouas planned to appeal the ruling.

Last year, Haouas was given a 18-month suspended prison sentence for robbery, also dating from 2014.