Plessis-Robinson, France — Vinaya Habosi, the Fijian winger for Racing 92, has been arrested following allegations of a violent domestic incident involving his partner. The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday evening at the athlete’s residence in Hauts-de-Seine, just outside Paris.
According to local sources, the confrontation began as a verbal argument and escalated when Habosi allegedly pushed his partner while she was holding their baby. Witnesses claim that after the woman fell, Habosi continued the assault by punching her in the back of the head. However, it was reported that the child was not harmed during the incident, and Habosi’s partner declined any immediate medical attention from emergency services, displaying no visible injuries.
Police intervention followed witness reports of the altercation, during which Habosi was described as being heavily intoxicated. He disputed the accusations, denying that he had pushed or struck his wife.
The arrest comes just a day after Habosi participated in Racing 92’s 33-20 win against Clermont in the Top 14 league’s second round, coming off the bench to play. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Habosi’s club has chosen to withhold extensive comment. A brief statement from Racing 92 mentioned that the club is aware of the allegations against Habosi and is awaiting more detailed information from the authorities before making further statements.
This is not the first time Habosi has faced allegations of domestic violence. He had previously been involved in a similar case in Fiji, which led to his early dismissal from the Fijian Drua team. The club released him for a “high-level breach” of their Code of Conduct, following an accusation of assault filed against him at the Namaka Police Station last February. This prior incident resulted in the termination of his contract just before the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season, prompting his early move to Racing 92.
Despite these issues, Habosi represented Fiji at the Rugby World Cup held in France and has continued to play internationally.
As the legal process unfolds, the rugby community and fans are closely watching how this case develops, especially given the player’s troubled history and the gravity of the new allegations. The outcome of this case could potentially impact not just Habosi’s professional career but also his standing in the international rugby scene.
This incident also reignites discussions around athlete conduct off the field, highlighting the recurring issues of domestic violence that plague sports worldwide. The scrutiny of how clubs and sports organizations handle such severe allegations reflects a broader call for accountability and stringent behavioral standards, ensuring that players’ off-field behavior aligns with the values they are expected to embody.