MARSEILLE: International prop Mohamed Haouas, who will be tried on February 4 for drunk driving, has been suspended indefinitely, his club Montpellier announced on Tuesday.
“He disappointed us with his behavior. For me, it was important to sanction him. There is a precautionary suspension. We will see how it goes afterwards,” said manager Joan Caudullo.
Caudullo said he and the club’s director of rugby Bernard Laporte met with the player on Monday.
Haouas was arrested on Sunday and then taken into police custody in Montpellier for drunk driving. His case will be heard on February 4, 2025.
The 30-year-old has 16 international caps.
He started for the first time this season for Montpellier last week against Newport in the Challenge Cup. He will miss the game against another Welsh team this weekend.
“He will not play this match. He will not train until further notice. He will also be financially sanctioned. We cannot allow this type of behavior to happen in our club, and we have other fish to fry,” said Caudullo.
Haouas started his career at Montpellier but left in 2023 for Biarritz after a series of brushes with the law.
In May 2023 he was handed a one-year suspended sentence for hitting his wife. The following month, he was found guilty in a case that stemmed from a fight in a Montpellier bakery in 2014. He has appealed the verdict. He also received a suspended sentenced in February 2022, for burglaries of tobacco shops in Montpellier in 2014.
He was taken back by Montpellier after his year in the Basque country but owner Moed Al trad made clear his stay at the club was conditional on “exemplary behavior.”
Haouas had started discussions to extend his contract but his future is now in Al trad’s hands.
“He will tell us what to do,” said Caudullo. “He is the one who brought him back to the club and gave him this second chance. It is important to have his opinion.”
Montpellier, who won their first French title in 2022, escaped relegation in June in a playoff and are ninth in the Top 14 this season.
Montpellier suspend Haouas after latest brush with the law
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Montpellier suspend Haouas after latest brush with the law
- Caudullo said he and the club’s director of rugby Bernard Laporte met with the player on Monday
- Haouas was arrested on Sunday and then taken into police custody in Montpellier for drunk driving
Man United climb to third, Fulham sink sorry Spurs
- Red Devils have taken their tally to 19 points from a possible 21
LONDON: Benjamin Sesko stretched his hot streak with the winning goal as Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 2-1 to go third in the Premier League, while Tottenham failed to dispel relegation fears after defeat at Fulham.
Sesko was handed his first start in seven games since Michael Carrick took charge at Old Trafford and rewarded his boss with another vital goal to edge United closer to a return to the Champions League.
Palace had taken an early lead at Old Trafford when Maxence Lacroix outmuscled Leny Yoro to guide in a header from Brennan Johnson’s corner.
But United hit back to remain unbeaten under Carrick and take their tally to 19 points from a possible 21.
The game swung on one incident as Lacroix was sent off and conceded a penalty for pulling back Matheus Cunha just before the hour mark.
Bruno Fernandes confidently stroked the resulting spot kick past former teammate Dean Henderson.
Fernandes was then the creator for the second as his curling cross was powered in by Sesko.
The Slovenian has now scored seven times in his last eight appearances to quieten critics of his £74 million ($100 million) price tag after a slow start to his career in England.
Tottenham remain perilously poised just four points above the relegation zone as interim boss Igor Tudor again failed to halt their alarming slide after a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.
Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi gave Fulham a deserved half-time lead as they moved up to ninth and back into contention for European football next season.
Richarlison headed in a late consolation for Tottenham, but they remain the only Premier League side without a win in 2026.
The one crumb of comfort for Spurs was defeat for relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, 2-1 at Brighton.
All three goals arrived in the first 15 minutes as Diego Gomez and Danny Welbeck netted for the Seagulls either side of Morgan Gibbs-White’s reply.
Forest sit two points above the drop zone ahead of a daunting trip to Manchester City on Wednesday.
