French managers implicated in Basteraud affair

Senior managers of the French rugby side face the sack after being implicated in covering up the Mathieu Basteraud affair, according to reports.

Radio New Zealand has reported that senior staff may lose their jobs following crisis talks between the French rugby federation and key members of the squad, which has just returned home from a tour of New Zealand and Australia.

Bastareaud, who lied that he was attacked as he returned to his Wellington hotel this month, is being treated at an unnamed Paris facility for "severe psychological problems".

The 20-year-old lied that he was set on from behind by up to five men following the second rugby test between France at the All Blacks in Wellington on June 20, leaving him with a serious eye injury.
  
Police investigated the incident for several days last week, before Bastareaud admitted his fabrication. He subsequently said he had drunk too much after his France's 14-10 loss to the All Blacks and had hit his head on a table back at the hotel.

However, French media are questioning the veracity of the accounts given so far and believe sackings could result given French team manager Jo Masso has in fact now suggested Basteraud's injuries came about after a fight among players.

French rugby officials are now carrying out further investigations and it appears Maso, delegation chief Jean Dunyach and the team doctor could face the sack, Radio New Zealand said.

French media have also reported Bastareaud was pulled out of the Seine over the weekend. 

He is said to have told friends he could not cope with the scandal, which has become an embarrassment to French rugby authorities.

"He sent me a text saying he couldn't stand this harassment," said Mathieu Blin, a teammate at the Stade Francais club. "Now he's completely gone off the rails."

Stade Francais chairman Max Guazzini said Bastareaud would be kept under observation for at least two weeks.

Meanwhile, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) has announced it will open an inquiry into the Bastareaud affair.

Following the team's arrival back in France overnight, the FFR president Pierre Camou announced a judicial process will begin although a date is yet to be set.

Several major French newspapers are questioning the veracity of the team accounts of the incident, with team manager Jo Maso reportedly suggesting there had been a fight among players which resulted in Bastareaud's injuries.

- Stuff.co.nz and NZPA