In a developing story that has rocked the French rugby community, Stéphane Cambos, the former manager of the French U18 rugby team, was taken into custody on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, as part of an investigation into the tragic disappearance of 17-year-old Medhi Narjissi. The young player vanished during a training camp in South Africa on August 7, 2024, an incident that has raised serious questions about the safety protocols in place for the youth rugby team.
According to sources, Cambos was questioned by officers from the Division of Organized and Specialized Crime (DCOS) in Agen, where he was held for several hours before being released around 4 p.m. His questioning comes as part of an involuntary manslaughter investigation opened by a local judge following Narjissi's disappearance, which occurred during a recovery session at the notoriously dangerous Dias Beach, near the Cape of Good Hope.
The incident unfolded while the French U18 team was participating in an international tournament in South Africa. On that fateful day, 24 players entered the water for a brief recovery session, but it soon turned disastrous when Narjissi was caught in a riptide. Despite the valiant efforts of teammate Oscar Boutez from Stade Rochelais, Narjissi was swept away and has not been seen since. His body has never been recovered, leaving his family in anguish.
Following the tragedy, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) conducted an internal investigation, which implicated the coaching staff for failing to adequately assess the risks associated with the recovery session. The report criticized the decision to hold the session at Dias Beach, stating, "The decision to organize a recovery session in the water at Dias Beach was made without considering the dangers of the site." As a result, the FFR suspended the U18 team's technical advisors, reflecting the seriousness of the situation.
In mid-September 2024, the family of Medhi Narjissi contacted the Agen prosecutor's office, prompting the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. Cambos, who had only recently taken over as manager of the U18 team, has maintained that he opposed the recovery session, asserting that it was not part of the day's planned activities. He described it as a "disobedience to the schedule," suggesting that the decision to proceed with the session was made without his consent.
However, Cambos's claims have been met with skepticism, as no other testimonies from the coaching staff or players have corroborated his account. Robin Ladauge, the physical trainer who suggested the recovery session, was interviewed in January 2025 but has not faced any formal charges. Cambos's lawyer, Me Arnaud Dupin, expressed confidence in his client's innocence, stating, "Stéphane Cambos has been very cooperative, and he has reiterated the truth about what happened in South Africa. He is still traumatized by the tragedy." Dupin also indicated that they believe the accusations against Cambos are unfounded, arguing that the FFR's report was aimed solely at finding scapegoats.
The family of Narjissi has been vocal in their criticism of the rugby federation's handling of the incident, describing the situation as one of "amateurism" that contributed to their son's disappearance. Jalil and Valérie Narjissi have expressed their outrage over the lack of accountability and have called for justice in the wake of their son's tragic fate.
As the investigation continues, the rugby community is left grappling with the implications of this heartbreaking incident. Cambos is the first member of the U18 coaching staff to be questioned under custody, marking a significant development in the ongoing inquiry. The scrutiny on the safety measures and decision-making processes within youth sports has intensified, with many calling for reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
With Cambos's release from custody, the focus now shifts back to the investigation and the quest for answers regarding Narjissi's disappearance. The case has drawn widespread attention, not only for its tragic nature but also for the critical discussions it has sparked about youth sports safety and accountability. As the days unfold, the rugby world watches closely, hoping for clarity and justice for Medhi Narjissi and his grieving family.
